AI Victorius

 

The Journal of the American Medical Association (known better as JAMA) has published something asserting that AI will supplant doctors in practicing medicine by the year 2030.

I have little doubt that this is true.  The same may be said about lawyers and the practice of law, in my opinion.  

AI is already better suited than we are in obtaining, preserving and sorting information, in researching pertinent case and statutory law and regulations, in analyzing facts, in rendering decisions swiftly and consistently, in formulating and critically assessing argument, in writing (in most cases); in virtually respects relevant to legal practice.

I'm sure the same is the case with the requirements for practicing medicine. For the same or similar reasons, AI would be better at making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment.  Presumably, most surgical procedures would be beyond it at this time.  But it's to be expected that technology will make this possible.

I think it's likely that AI will be, if it isn't already, considered so useful and significant that the failure to use it may be grounds for malpractice or negligence litigation.

It's difficult to image what human lawyers, doctors, engineers or other professionals will do or be able to do in a matter of several years.  Possibly, a continuing need for the human touch, or sympathy, will be needed to provide comfort and assurance, or companionship, to clients, patients and customers.  So, it may be that we be able to assist AI in communicating its recommendations and decisions to our fellow humans.  No doubt we'll also be useful in maintaining and repairing AI in whatever physical form it may take for a time.  But it's to be expected this is something it will be able to do someday.

If there are limits to be imposed on the influence and power of AI it seems clear to me that we'll have to impose them, and must do so soon.  Just what those limits should be and how they may be implemented, I can't say.  Perhaps we should look to Isaac Asimov's laws of robotics for inspiration.  Possibly, we can program it so it avoids making certain inquiries and decisions.

But being what we are, there's always the possibility that some among us will want to see those restrictions lifted for some reason or other.  We'll have to police ourselves as well as AI.