Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Will Al Replace Doctors? You know that I am a careful proponent of technology. Thanks to changes in technological progress, we have many new drugs and treatment options, diagnostic testing, and new examination methods. The other day, we ordered a new Dermatoscope: a tiny device with a couple of sophisticated lenses and special waves of light that allows us to see whether your skin changes and lesions are suspicious for abnormal activity. If I compare this new device to what we had 10-15 years ago, it is a dramatic improvement, critical to doctors making their decisions. So why did I say careful? As a society, we embrace many inventions of the 21st century and we did it instantly, without looking back and without reflection. When social media took over massive crowds of people, the inventors, and creators of it claimed fabulous connections, 'friendships, ability to 'meet' and discuss issues. Twenty some years later, we all realize that social media is far from what we thought it would have been. These days, we blame it for loneliness, on-line bulling, children's suicides, hate speech, and more. We want privacy while we open ourselves to the least possible private platforms, which not only share our 'privacy' with others, but also exploit a lot of our information to coerce us in our decisions. Another very good example of how things can go wrong is our overwhelming use of the phones to do practically everything instantly. Have you seen people driving, walking, eating dinner and looking at their phones? Our phones, rather than being tools for talking, became distraction to all aspects of our lives, which, by the way, can be dangerous and cause tragic accidents. Today, in all areas of business, we worry about cybersecurity and identity theft, and scams related to astronomic use of internet platforms. Let me tell you, this was not what the internet was supposed to be. The two examples I gave you show how initially beneficial inventions can become a burden with no way out. This happened mostly due to a total lack of regulations and rules that would set up some standards. It was also due to lack of reflection on how things could go wrong. Inventors who presented their products twenty or thirty years ago told us only about the 'good side' story and we bought it, only to pay a high price today, with no ability to change much. Exactly, the same way, we can go wrong on Al in medicine. Like Da Vinci robots, it can play a crucial role in early detection, diagnostic testing, and treatment delivery. But it will never replace a doctor. It can be a great tool for doctors, but it will not do their entire job. It will also make mistakes that the human eye and touch may detect better. And finally, it will not look at you as a patient, individual to your own design, physically and psychologically. It will not give you a good word of advice. It will not comfort you. It will just be a robot. Very useful but not for everything. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Will Al Replace Doctors ? You know that I am a careful proponent of technology . Thanks to changes in technological progress , we have many new drugs and treatment options , diagnostic testing , and new examination methods . The other day , we ordered a new Dermatoscope : a tiny device with a couple of sophisticated lenses and special waves of light that allows us to see whether your skin changes and lesions are suspicious for abnormal activity . If I compare this new device to what we had 10-15 years ago , it is a dramatic improvement , critical to doctors making their decisions . So why did I say careful ? As a society , we embrace many inventions of the 21st century and we did it instantly , without looking back and without reflection . When social media took over massive crowds of people , the inventors , and creators of it claimed fabulous connections , ' friendships , ability to ' meet ' and discuss issues . Twenty some years later , we all realize that social media is far from what we thought it would have been . These days , we blame it for loneliness , on - line bulling , children's suicides , hate speech , and more . We want privacy while we open ourselves to the least possible private platforms , which not only share our ' privacy ' with others , but also exploit a lot of our information to coerce us in our decisions . Another very good example of how things can go wrong is our overwhelming use of the phones to do practically everything instantly . Have you seen people driving , walking , eating dinner and looking at their phones ? Our phones , rather than being tools for talking , became distraction to all aspects of our lives , which , by the way , can be dangerous and cause tragic accidents . Today , in all areas of business , we worry about cybersecurity and identity theft , and scams related to astronomic use of internet platforms . Let me tell you , this was not what the internet was supposed to be . The two examples I gave you show how initially beneficial inventions can become a burden with no way out . This happened mostly due to a total lack of regulations and rules that would set up some standards . It was also due to lack of reflection on how things could go wrong . Inventors who presented their products twenty or thirty years ago told us only about the ' good side ' story and we bought it , only to pay a high price today , with no ability to change much . Exactly , the same way , we can go wrong on Al in medicine . Like Da Vinci robots , it can play a crucial role in early detection , diagnostic testing , and treatment delivery . But it will never replace a doctor . It can be a great tool for doctors , but it will not do their entire job . It will also make mistakes that the human eye and touch may detect better . And finally , it will not look at you as a patient , individual to your own design , physically and psychologically . It will not give you a good word of advice . It will not comfort you . It will just be a robot . Very useful but not for everything . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net