I frequently discuss and work on AI-related projects, and I’m often surprised by how many people in healthcare recognize the value of technological advancements but fail to see their transformative potential. Here are my thoughts on AI from a high-level perspective.
Historically, before modern medical advancements, doctors in the 18th century relied on techniques developed in Ancient Greece. Hippocrates, a 5th-century BC physician, proposed the theory of humors, which posited that the body’s health depended on the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. To maintain this balance, various techniques, including bloodletting, were employed. This method was used by Washington’s doctors in an attempt to save him and was widely accepted as a path to good health.
I have immense respect for doctors—some of whom are close friends—and I’ve had the privilege of participating in the development of two new Colleges of Allopathic Medicine in Florida. Every day, I remind myself that the thousands of doctors I’ve met over the years are among the most intelligent and dedicated individuals, deeply committed to their patients. However, if a Silicon Valley-style company had approached physicians in 1799 and claimed, “Your tools are outdated and painful; we have a better solution for bloodletting,” they might have piqued their interest. Yet, as we know today, this approach was fundamentally flawed, even for someone as wealthy and esteemed as George Washington.
I mention this to illustrate that while AI is often undervalued in healthcare today, it still faces significant practical challenges in its application. Recently, Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania highlighted these issues.
Wharton Professor of Health Care Management Marissa King notes, “Creating the algorithms is the easy part. Turning the algorithms into something that actually transforms healthcare and securing support from key stakeholders are the challenging parts.”
She continues by highlighting that, although AI has the greatest potential to make an impact in healthcare, “it’s one of the hardest areas to leverage due to challenges like data fragmentation, privacy concerns, and the significant consequences of getting AI wrong.”
She emphasizes that although AI has immense potential to impact healthcare, it remains one of the most challenging fields to navigate due to issues like data fragmentation, privacy concerns, and the severe consequences of errors. Dr. King’s observations are spot-on. Fragmented data and privacy issues continue to hinder the healthcare industry. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of 124,000 physicians by 2034, an increase from 100,000 just 15 years ago, a situation exacerbated by COVID-19.
The outdated medical practices of George Washington and Professor King’s insights highlight that, despite the vast amounts of health data available today, the healthcare industry’s struggle with data fragmentation limits AI’s true potential. It’s akin to trying to make bloodletting more efficient.
Even with extensive medical databases, accessing the necessary data can take months. This is why I strongly advocate for empowering consumers to take control of their health data, using it to assess their wellness through established protocols and keeping themselves informed. Doctors, not AI, should make diagnoses. Patients have the most vested interest in ensuring their healthcare providers have all the information necessary for effective treatment. Only when patients control their data can AI truly revolutionize healthcare.
AI Investment: A Teaser
I’m short on time, internet connectivity, and space to delve into the investment side of AI, but I will share more once Hurricane Milton passes.
Here’s a teaser: a major international investment bank, managing over $3 trillion in assets, recently advised its clients to “Seize The Broadening AI Opportunity.” The report emphasizes three key points:
- Artificial intelligence is the tech theme of the decade.
- Investment opportunities exist across all three AI layers—enabling, intelligence, and application.
- The case for private companies working on large language models, AI applications, and data centers is compelling.
I’ll expand on these investment opportunities in my next post.
For now, to everyone in Florida reading this—stay safe and secure. We’ll need to come together to rebuild after two storms have affected three-quarters of our state.
-Noel J. Guillama, Chairman