In the world of health care, AI is increasingly being used to help patients navigate their health journey. One such example is Healthvana, a patient interface company that developed a conversational AI chatbot to assist people dealing with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The chatbot had two available options: a standard AI persona or a drag queen. To everyone’s surprise, the drag queen persona was more engaging for patients, with 80% of people choosing this option.
During a panel at the Milken Institute 2024 Global Conference, health care leaders discussed the increasing use of AI in science and health care. They emphasized the importance of developers and health systems considering the limitations of AI to prevent harm to patients. MD Anderson Cancer Center Chief Data Officer Caroline Chung highlighted the need for a shift in mindset from viewing AI as a replacement to exploring the possibilities that AI can offer.
Healthvana CEO Ramin Bastani noted that patients enjoyed the comments that came from the drag queen persona. He said that it was important for developers and health systems to remember that while AI can be incredibly helpful, it is not a replacement for human interaction and expertise. As technology continues to advance, it will be crucial for healthcare providers to strike a balance between using tools like chatbots to streamline processes and maintaining quality patient care.
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