There have been several conversations about the practical applications of artificial intelligence. There have also been several conversations about how accessible some artificial intelligence applications will be to most people. Outside of education, one of the most relevant applications of artificial intelligence is healthcare. In the Black community, there are glaring issues with access to high-quality healthcare. Artificial intelligence may solve at least a part or the whole of that problem.
Last week, Sam Altman announced that OpenAI and Thrive Global will be funding Thrive AI Health. In an article for Time Magazine, Altman wrote "It will be trained on the best peer-reviewed science as well as Thrive’s behavior change methodology—including microsteps, which are tiny daily acts that cumulatively lead to healthier habits. And it will also be trained on the personal biometric, lab, and other medical data you’ve chosen to share with it." If done correctly, this could dramatically alter health outcomes for Black patients who may not have had access to quality health care before.
Based on data from the Pew Research Center, 63% of African Americans say that lack of access to quality healthcare is one of the main reasons that they have worse health outcomes than other groups. What delivering some forms of care via cell phone means is that the proximity to a physical location ceases to be a barrier. If not completely removing the proximity barrier, it will decrease the efficacy of that factor when it comes to health outcomes.
Research shows that 92% of Black adults are cell phone owners and 56% are smartphone owners. This would reasonably lead to the conclusion that servicing healthcare solutions via cell phone is a way to meet the patients where they are. Understanding that not everyone lives in a big city where public transportation is prevalent, and understanding that some people live in rural America where people may be less connected, is important when devising solutions to the access problem. These are important elements when the numbers have shown that 80% of the country lacks access to quality healthcare.
"A personalized AI health coach, trained on your medical data and daily routines, could provide timely reminders to take your medication, suggest quick and healthy meal options, and encourage you to take short breaks for exercise." -Sam Altman
We all know what it's like to have a doctor give us a set of instructions. We may comply for a couple of days but sometimes as time goes on, we loosen up and no longer are as compliant. This isn't due to not caring, but sometimes due to life getting in the way, complex instructions, or physically feeling like we don't have to do anything more. We're on our phones most of the time already, so a system that gives a gentle reminder is a great step in the direction of keeping patients alert on their health journey.
We've been here before though. Several apps remind us to do things. Often, as Altman notes, these recommendations are generic. The system that's being developed has an overemphasis on specificity. A recommendation doesn't matter if it isn't specific to your needs, your schedule, and your lifestyle. For example: "swap your third-afternoon soda with water and lemon; go on a 10-minute walk with your child after you pick them up from school at 3:15 p.m.; start your wind-down routine at 10 p.m. since you have to get up at 6 a.m. the next morning to make your flight."
This level of specificity will operate with an attention to detail tailored to every person in a way that makes noncompliance a little more difficult than before. It won't be harsh, and won't be invasive. It is important to note that this will only be as helpful as the information that it's fed. What this would mean is that the users will have to accurately input personal information to receive feedback on how what to do to optimize their health experience.
An important factor to also consider as the race to implement artificial intelligence into healthcare continues is specialty providers. It's one thing for a tool to act as a general practitioner. It's another thing entirely for a tool to supplement the work of a nephrologist, pediatrician, endocrinologist, OBGYN, cardiologist, etc. When it comes to the more specialized needs of patients, it will be paramount that the tools are knowledgeable.
On top of physical health, mental health is also important. Although steps have been taken to make access to mental health tools available, there are still issues with how engaged we are with mental health resources. 25% of African Americans seek mental health treatment as opposed to 40% of white Americans. This may be attributed to the distrust that the Black community has of the medical community as a whole. This distrust isn't only for providers who deal with physical ailments but for mental ailments as well.
A barrier for product fit when looking at how to engage the Black community with these resources that are optimized by artificial intelligence will be trust. How do you convince a community that generally distrusts healthcare to now put their healthcare outcomes in the hands of big tech? Just last week, a data breach leaked call and text message records from ATT customers. Data breaches over last few years in healthcare have increased. Data breaches are a legitimate concern and now Thrive AI Health will need to convince users they have their best interest at heart for healthcare outcomes and that their information is safe.
Since the funding was just announced, there was no timetable for when the product will hit the market. The success of products such as these will be paramount for the advancement of healthcare and the questions about the general applicability of artificial intelligence to solve real world problems.