March 10, 2023
GEN ST 297 | Future-ish | Winter 2023
The Winter 2023 GEN ST 297 seminar students were incredibly engaged and creative. This was considered the ‘we are fully back from COVID’ quarter and I think the benefits of in-person learning and being able to interact and discuss topics with fellow students was clearly demonstrated in this cohort. Hot topics were Chat GPT, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence (AI) across many fields.
Seminar Scenarios
The Winter 2023 seminar students chose to look at the nexus of health and AI. The four scenarios of future states for this synthesis are shared below.
Scenario 1. The Near Future of AI & Health. The medical field will begin investing in the use of AI for accessible medicine. This will include online AI consultations regarding diagnoses; it will provide recommendations to improve health and prescribe medicines. The evolution of medicine does not stop there as internal health monitors will be the next step. This could include a uterus installation that would provide birth control and monitor pregnancies to ensure healthy offspring – it’s just as dystopian as it sounds!
Scenario 2. All-in-one AI. In 20 to 50 years, personal AI medical assistants will be provided to each newborn. This medical assistant can act like a family doctor that tracks the family health history and monitor them accordingly. AI medical assistants cant pick out food that is harmful/or benefit their health. They can also perform CPR to help reduce heart attacks and strokes. These AI also have brain interfaces and can be a friend/mental helper and therapist.
Scenario 3. Big Ultra Pharma. Big Pharma has been given a large grant from an unknown source to expand its outreach in providing healthcare to everyone. Advances in AI and health offer people in metropolitan and rural areas the invention of flying ambulances and even flying doctors! No need to visit a clinic yourself; let the clinic come to you. Flight seems to take Ultra Pharma by storm as prescription drugs and vaccinations go airborne! The fear of needles would not exist, nor the anti-vax population. They can [try] to mind their business but be vaccinated without their knowledge—protecting themselves, their children, and everyone around them. Ignorance may be bliss, but staying protected is heavenly.
Scenario 4. Far Out in the Future of AI and Healthcare. With more technological advancements in the medical field, AI microchips could become popular two hundred years from now. These microchips would help with vision, hearing, and speech problems. They could enhance brain functions, and help Deaf or blind people with these new implants. These microchips could also help with language translation as well as narration.