What does it mean to be, and stay, human in the age of AI?

Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on AI declares that humanity must choose a path that safeguards us from its potential dangers and brings about a good outcome.

While chatbot toys can seem appealing, they raise safety and ethical concerns.

“Humans grow and evolve using science and technology,” Hiroshi Ishiguro remarked. “That is what makes us human. I believe it is the responsibility of people today to create and design our own future.” When asked about the role of his android robots he has replied, “Companions.”

AI Jesus is just one of many recent examples in which artificial intelligence systems have taken on roles that have always seemed to require human beings. One can worry what these creations will eventually do to us humans. What will be left for humans to do?

Predicting a patient's suicide risk is hard. Can AI do better than a clinician?

Hugh Culber is talking to his abuela, asking why her mofongo always came out better than his even though he is using her recipe. She replies that it never came...

AI systems are susceptible to bias; maintenance and repair are essential to detecting and eliminating it.

I am currently writing up the results of a retrospective chart review of patients’ consent or refusal for medical students to perform pelvic exams on them when they’re under anesthesia and sedated. I asked ChatGPT to summarize the ethical issues and tell me what sources it used to generate its response.

How accurately could AI translate complex medical information for lay persons? How well could it identify and distill the ethical dilemmas posed by research findings? What safeguards could be used to prevent the use of AI for misinformation and disinformation? We performed a small nonscientific experiment.

How long does it take to trust someone? Think twice before getting too close to your chatty friend ChatGPT.

There's a lot of excitement about the possibilities of sophisticated, conversational AI in medicine, but we are already seeing problematic examples of its use. The insight of ethicists is sorely needed.

In January, right before President Biden took office, the Food and Drug Administration proposed permanently exempting “software as a medical device” from regulatory review. The agency waived the approval process last year to streamline regulatory oversight during the Covid emergency. But the growing use of artificial intelligence programs and digital devices in health care raises safety and ethical concerns that require more attention. The Biden administration put the proposal on hold for now. Meanwhile, bioethicists should weigh in as the FDA reviews its action plan.

Science has replaced populism in the White House. For the first time, the president's science advisor will be elevated to cabinet rank. There are other good omens, as well.

The creation of humanlike intelligence in a nonbiological being would be the greatest achievement in human history. Many experts believe this will happen within decades. What role should, or could, regulatory bodies play?