Isn’t it ironic that we no longer choose to speak to each other when we can type or send video, but we’re happy to chat with nonhumans about our most important concerns? And listen to what they say. And do it. Even when the nonhuman is making up things that may be dangerous.
I often lament the diminishing number of experts in every area of our lives. It means clear advice and sound information is more and more difficult to come by. I suppose that can make it tempting to rely on an intelligence that has the ability to glean from multitudinous sources.
In fact, in theory that sounds ideal. The problem is that intelligence in 1s and 0s begins with parameters set by humans. Increasingly, by humans with less and less expertise. The exponential learning ability of generative AI means it can outmaneuver mostly absent human gatekeepers. Left to its own, it will generate an answer.
That answer may tell you it’s safe to cook with gas and then give instructions for placing the gas in your sauté pan. If you have some expertise in the kitchen, or just general safety, you’ll know this is horse hockey. But if you’re an 8-year-old who’s trying to fix dinner for a sick mom, who knows?
Before engaging a chatbot to advise you on nutrition, workouts, medication, or mental health practices, keep in mind that your robot buddy has amalgamated thousands of conspiracy theories along with sound science. How it interweaves, gives context to, and regurgitates the information is not dependent on any underlying rules. We haven’t developed those.
And AI likes to have an answer. If it can’t find a ruling to support a lawyer’s lawsuit, it will make one up. I don’t know if hallucinating is the most accurate description of what actually happens.
The desire to turn to chatbots for health advice reminds me how lazy we are able to be – physically, emotionally, and intellectually. So many of us have lived with a level of privilege for so long that we simply can’t imagine not feeling overwhelmed when life requires some effort.
I’m not saying that some of us aren’t overworked. But many of us want convenience, convenience, convenience. Fine, but it’s not always healthy.
Tools are great, but they are tools, not miracles. If you are looking for a miracle, you’ll most likely be looking for another one when the promise of the current one doesn’t bring the solution you desire.
There are always new, brilliant discoveries to be shared. If you can access those from within human groups, you’ll get additional benefits from being part of a community.
Beyond irony, there are real dangers to be avoided when engaging with chatbots. Please proceed with clear intentions, caution, and an abundance of education if you decide to include AI tools in your health decision-making.