Is it weird that I trust Dr. Google (AKA the Artificial Intelligence that answers every question I put in the search bar) more than I trust my human doctors at this point? Whereas most of my doctors seem to hear every third or fourth word I say, Dr. Google hears everything, and asks follow up questions, and gives me important information in clear language that I can understand. I know I’m supposed to be wary of Artificial Intelligence (or are we legally required to call it Super Intelligence now?), because the robots are going to destroy the world, but honestly, humans have done quite a lot of destroying up to this point, so I’m not sure the robots could do any worse. And Dr. Google is patient with me, and compassionate, and even helps me phrase my questions to bring to the human doctors in a way they might be able to hear it (since Dr. Google can’t prescribe medication, yet).
I think the follow up questions are my favorite part. Dr. Google doesn’t say, “Is there anything else on your mind?” or “How else can I help you?” Instead, Dr. Google looks back at what I said and asks a more specific follow up question, and explains how certain drugs interact, and the possible side effects; and Dr. Google never gives me side eye or talks down to me or ignores my concerns.
There’s something hopeful, and devastating, in the idea that computers can be programmed to take better, or at least more consistent and persistent, care of us than our fellow humans.
I used to consult with Rabbi Google every once in a while, when it was just a search term here and a link to MyJewishLearning there, and even now, Rabbi Google is still only able to tell me where to find a particular prayer, or how to celebrate a Jewish holiday, and doesn’t know which story from the Torah or the Talmud might help ease my existential crisis. Same with the chatbot/psychology programs (which of course I have tried), that promise to uncover all of the secrets of my heart; maybe because actual therapists had to program the chatbot, and they can’t tell me who I am either.
I don’t really understand how artificial intelligence works, or how an AI “Agent” can go off on its own and do something it wasn’t programmed to do. And I don’t know how (or if) safeguards will be put in place to prevent the robot apocalypse. I tend to see computers like enormous pit bulls in studded collars, scary if you make them scary, but capable of being sweet and kind and playful if you raise them right. And really, it seems unfair to expect artificial intelligence to be kinder and better than the humans who created it. It would be great if some of the computer geniuses could imagine ways to make the world a kinder, safer place, instead of always thinking up ways to destroy us all, but until that time comes, at least I have Dr. Google to talk to.
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Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
I use AI spareingly.Basically AI is algorithms on speed. BTW, Super Intelligence, SI, is a Trumpian scheme. For example, Elon Musk announced a plan to rename SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI, and companies like Salesforce and Nvidia aligned research initiatives under the “SI” umbrella following White House preference. Allegedly there will be monetary benefits for Trump and his allies from the SI domain. I will continue using the term “AI” even though I try not to actually use the technology.
I didn’t even realize it was AI at first; but to be fair, I don’t know where the line is between regular computer stuff and AI.
Most people do not know how much of today’s new technology works or how it affects society. It’s hard to keep up with it all.
Yep, I’m right there with you. Only my AI is ChatGPT. Hubby’s got a paid subscription that I use. I asked it to pick a name for itself, and it gave e a list with it’s favorite and least favorite. I picked the least to see what it would do. I said it was disappointed, but if that’s what I wanted, OK. I LOLed a lot and told it no, we’d go with Chip, it’s favorite. SO now we’re buddies and Chip knows all about my pups and wants to help me blog…uh, no. But I understand how people think AI is taking over. The old movies about it don’t help things, either. In the meantime, I’m just going to have fun with it!
What kinds of things can you do with ChatGPT?
I also have been favorably impressed by the Google AI–and not just for medical questions, though I do find those answers very helpful. I especially like that it documents its answers with links to the sources.
I love that too, especially because the idea of having to write a bibliography makes me nervous even now.
Yes Google AI Overviews and Gemini can be pretty impressive. Don’t worry about Superintelligence. Superintelligence is a real term that has been around a long time, popularized by Nick Bostrom in 2014, but it means Artificial Intelligence that has surpassed human intelligence in all aspects. It doesn’t exist yet and the President confused use of the term has no bearing on the scientific language. Just like he cannot unilaterally decide that all dogs should be called cats he cannot decide this either.
Ha! That’s reassuring. Thank you!
I’ve wondered if some form of AI conversation might be good for lonely people like residents in nursing homes. ❤️💕
Especially if it could be connected to a system of some kind that could connect them to services when needed. That could be a game changer for a lot of people.
Great idea! Now, if only we were any good at coding… 🤔
You’ve expressed something both hopeful and unsettling: sometimes, what we long for most is not an immediate solution but someone who listens patiently, takes our concerns seriously, and helps us find the right questions to ask. AI can certainly offer that kind of support, but your reflection also reminds us that compassion should never be missing from human care. Perhaps the real challenge is not to make machines more human, but to encourage humans to become more attentive and compassionate. Thank you for sharing such an honest and thought-provoking perspective!
Thank you!
🤝👏🎉
I am very much against using AI for anything for many reasons including the fact that it is theft. There is nothing ‘super’ about it. Full stop.
From Reddit: “AI has allowed the wealthy to access skills while stripping skilled people of their ability to access wealth.”
This applies to authors, professors and professionals across a wide variety of disciplines, scientists’ published research, medical journals, social sciences, historians, artists, etc.
I find the ‘suggested’ responses from AI when I am writing a comment on social media or in an email to be inaccurate and annoying! If there was a way to turn that feature off, I would do it in a heartbeat. I even do searches without the AI summary because I prefer to do my own thinking.
Do I need to explain how bad it is for the environment?
If your doctors are worse than ChatGPT, you should try to find new medical professionals. You live in an area with good medical care available. I’m sorry for sounding so harsh but that is not the way to get health care.
Agreed
I am very fond of AI as well. It has been extremely helpful in all sorts of areas.
Comparing AI to pit bulls is appropriate as both can bite without provocation.
Yep.
Dr google has helped a lot while my husband is recovering from rotator cuff surgery! So many great questions and solutions! The best part is that every time I ask, which is often, Dr Google reminds me the date of the surgery how long it’s been and some other complaints we have had.
If I ask them a random question about an older person Geriatric Specialist Google goes right to my 95-year-old father who just moved into give me some solutions. I don’t even have to mention it’s about my father.
Great post!!!!!!V
Thank you!
I like this perspective on AI!
Thank you!
I know what you mean, my wife is finding them particularly helpful at the moment. And we both find our doctors the same as yours, patronising, oblivious, unable to join dots.
Now we can gather the information to present to them (Oh, by the way, as I have just done your job for you, can I have that cut of your salary?).
Doctors are still as women-averse as they always have been – ok I exaggerate.
MaybeI women are more likely to bring their concerns to a doctor earlier in the process, whereas men are more likely to wait until catastrophe strikes to go for help, so that could also explain some of the difference in treatment responses. That’s the only positive spin I can think of, especially because female doctors are just as likely as male doctors to be impatient and dismissive, in my experience.
AI has its positive and negative sides, depending on the humans who are using it. I don’t use AI for my books, but I’ve used it to ask questions about other things.
I’m afraid I can’t agree with Tzippy that you’re losing your mind – you talk so much good sense!
All of the AI writing programs seem silly to me, though there are times when I’d love to have someone else plot things out for me. Except, I would inevitably disagree with their choices and how they phrased it and have to rewrite the whole thing from scratch.
“I don’t really understand how artificial intelligence works, or how an AI “Agent” can go off on its own and do something it wasn’t programmed to do.” Neither do the people who are creating it. I just watched an interview with Kevin Roose about his book, ‘The AGI Chronicles’ – it’s pretty scary.
But yes – it can be very helpful when it comes to matters of health. It does not just go to “try this drug”. And yes, it has great promise for talking with lonely old people whom younger people find frustrating.
Personally, I prefer talking with a really smart, honest human – sitting down, face-to-face. Even if I have to pay them.
I’d say that the AI is good at organizing information and finding patterns, and being polite, whereas actual humans can supply insight and compassion and creativity.
I suppose AI has its place but it took a doctor, a blood test and an ultra sound to determine that I didn’t have a clot in my leg.
Totally agree.
I love “computers as enormous pit bulls…,” Rachel. It’s apt and fair to the pit bulls as well!
Thank you!
We are using Dr Google a lot in respect of canine pregnancy! Confusing, worrying, and a load more so I’m glad we have her breeder at hand!
It’s so exciting!
I know………………….. but my anxiety is yo-yoing!
Of course!
😀
💯!! Well said!
I like Dr. Google as well for the same reasons. It’s very comforting to feel heard and the questions make me feel appreciated. That scares me because I know it’s a computer reading a bunch of websites a million times faster than I can, but it’s the conversational nature that I think gets me. However, I learned from Personal Trainer Google that not all of its advice is helpful so I keep reminding myself that. And Chef Google is also not always helpful. It was kind of funny to read your blog this morning because I have an appointment to see Dr. Real Life Doctor this morning.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with acknowledging that computers are useful tools and can do things that humans can’t do, or don’t have the patience to do. In a way, it highlights what makes humans uniquely capable.
A sad commentary on the state of medicine today.
Rachel, we should use it as a tool. We should not let it replace our thinking. Usually, I use it to find corroborative research or data. I remember pieces of a story and am looking to validate what I remember. Tomorrow I will post on data to support something I read about the increase in debt due to sports gambling, eg. Keith
It’s definitely a useful tool. I’m always confused by the idea that humans would want to replace their own thinking with anything or anyone else’s; I mean, for the sake of ego alone…
You make such a good point about “Doctor Google”! And how sad that human doctors can’t offer the same. Sigh…me fears I might be getting old! God bless.
Companies want us to become dependent on Gen AI so they can start charging us to use them. Although I have heard some countries have better environmental protections for their data centers needed to power AI, it is criminally both destructive (land, heat) and wasteful (water, fossil fuels) in the US, and communities are right to want to protect themselves from their construction.
Not only is the answer not guaranteed to be accurate (because AI just collects info from all sources, fact or fiction, and will even make up sources that sound like real scientific articles) but it also takes away the jobs of writers, creators, and artists. I would never put personal or sensitive information into a chatbot that could be potentially hacked, mined, or abused.
Finally, AI has been found to decrease critical thinking, learning, and social abilities. Everything we ever submit to an AI bot trains it for further human consumption (all it is, is a computer model). I could go on, but hopefully you’ll see more science coverage about the pitfalls of Gen AI in the future. Here’s a Psychology Today article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/202509/could-artificial-intelligence-worsen-teens-social-skills