The Role of AI in Healthcare and Its Potential Benefits

<figure> <img alt="The question 'Should I kill humans?' is projected onto a wall behind a robotic face glowing blue." src="https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-1228281643.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> The question "Should I kill humans?" is projected onto a wall behind robot "Alfie," a Moral Choice Machine. | Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) are prevalent among Americans, with a recent NBC News/Decision Desk poll indicating that 70 percent of adults express more worry than excitement about the technology. However, there is a notable exception in the field of scientific research and medicine.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dr. Dhruv Khullar, a physician at Weill Cornell Medicine, suggests that optimism regarding AI in healthcare is justified. He utilizes AI tools in his practice and discusses their advancements in the medical field, stating that there is a generally positive outlook on how AI will influence healthcare.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">AI has been integrated into medicine for some time. In 2024, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to researchers for developing an AI model that facilitated breakthroughs in predicting protein structures. AI is increasingly being used by doctors for second opinions and for documenting patient interactions.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Khullar highlights that AI may also aid in the development of new medicines for various diseases. He recently spoke with Sean Rameswaram on the podcast <em>Today, Explained</em> about AI's impact on drug discovery and research, as well as its limitations.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Has AI already started saving lives?</strong></p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Khullar believes that AI is already making a difference in healthcare, noting the rapid adoption of new technologies in the sector. He attributes this to the existing challenges within the healthcare system, which include issues of affordability, accessibility, and quality. He expresses hope that AI will address these challenges while emphasizing the need to manage its potential downsides.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>How is AI being integrated into the healthcare system?</strong></p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Khullar categorizes AI's integration into healthcare into several areas. The administrative side is seeing the most rapid uptake, with AI scribes now taking notes during patient visits. This allows doctors to engage more directly with patients rather than focusing on their computers.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">AI is also assisting with patient navigation, helping individuals manage appointments and medication schedules. Furthermore, AI is making significant contributions to drug discovery, particularly in the early stages.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In his daily practice, Khullar uses AI as a second opinion tool, which aids in clinical decision-making by providing relevant information and recent trial data.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>What advancements are being made in drug discovery?</strong></p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">While Khullar does not claim that AI has solved major health issues like cancer, he acknowledges its usefulness in the early stages of drug discovery. AI helps researchers identify potential drug candidates by analyzing vast amounts of data and ranking possible targets for diseases.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">AI can also assist in generating molecules that may disrupt disease targets and optimize these candidates for safety and efficacy.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Are there concerns about AI's reliability?</strong></p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Khullar acknowledges concerns regarding AI's accuracy, emphasizing that human judgment remains essential in evaluating AI outputs. He notes that while AI can assist in identifying promising drug candidates, the subsequent processes of testing and regulatory approval still require human oversight.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>What is the future of AI in healthcare?</strong></p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Khullar believes that AI's role in healthcare will continue to evolve, but it is crucial to maintain human agency as AI systems become more advanced. He argues against completely shutting down AI applications in biotechnology and clinical care, advocating for its responsible use to improve healthcare outcomes.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">He concludes that while there are risks associated with AI, its potential benefits in healthcare warrant continued exploration and integration.</p> SOURCE: Vox PUBLISHED: 2026-09-23 19:50:00