Balancing Humanity & Innovation in an Era of AI

The Humanity Behind the Code and the Care

By Bill Kirst & Dr. Aaron Tabacco, PhD

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, and nowhere is this more profound and proclaimed to be of impact than in healthcare. AI has the power to accelerate research, refine diagnostics, and ease administrative burdens. And still, amid the promises of efficiency and automation, one fundamental question persists:

How do we hold onto our humanity in an AI-driven world?

It’s easy to marvel at AI’s potential—to celebrate its ability to process vast amounts of data in seconds, to recognize patterns we might overlook, and to deliver insights that challenge our assumptions. But we must remember:

??? AI doesn’t heal. People do.

?? AI doesn’t connect us. Humans do.

?? AI doesn’t understand the weight of a diagnosis, the fear in a patient’s eyes, or the moral responsibility of making a life-altering decision.

That is uniquely the human condition. And as we sit at the front lines of this technology at times, we implore leaders to hold on to that which is intensely human…with intention…and be prepared for the tension that will arise when you do.?

Technology as a Partner, Not a Replacement

The integration of AI into healthcare cannot just be about replacing human expertise, it must be committed to enhancing it. When implemented well, AI can help reduce clinician burnout, improve decision-making, and support more equitable care. But when misapplied, it can become a barrier—pulling attention from the patient to the screen, reinforcing biases in data, and depersonalizing care.

The challenge we face is not limited to what AI can do, but rather what AI should do.

Another dimension of this challenge is in gaining an understanding that AI can be a partner to healthcare providers, but must be a partner to patients and families, as well. The patient-technology partnership began in earnest with the dawn of medical search engines like Healthscape and WebMD in the late 90s. Now, with GPTs available to the public, the level at which individuals can engage in the appearance of health research presents even greater challenges for the patient-provider relationship. If we aim to maintain the humanity of this ancient healing relationship?in medicine and allied health sciences, we will need work harder to deeply embrace the user experience, and become active co-creators of that experience.

The Role of Empathy in an AI-Driven World

One of the most overlooked aspects of AI implementation is empathy. We often assume it’s built into the design, but that assumption is flawed. AI is designed for speed and efficiency and even scale—but what about its impact on human relationships?

If AI assists in flagging a potential cancer diagnosis, how do we ensure the physician delivering that news is supported by technology, rather than distanced by it?

If AI streamlines administrative work, does it truly free up time for deeper patient interactions, or does it introduce new burdens?

If AI personalizes treatments, how do we ensure that its recommendations remain deeply human-centered?

These are not technical questions. They are human questions.

The Origins of Human Empathy

How Do We Apply This to Technology?

These human questions have deeper roots that speak to the “who” and the “how” of the creation of technologies that are uniquely humane. Think for a moment, about when, in the history of all humanity, have we created something that has the potential to see us, hear us, and speak with us, all with the potential for some kind of intelligence, independence, or even with potential sentience? Are we on the precipice of a truly previously unmet frontier??

No. We are not. The entire human species is a species of childrearing and caregiving. We survive and thrive because we have developed high-level skills of protecting, guiding, and nurturing, and healing the children we bear who grow to take our places. We survive, in part, because we are hardwired for empathy and we have developed a deep sociobiological propensity for nurturance.?Not to be replaced by that which lacks a heartbeat.

The related health and social sciences - psychology, developmental pediatrics, ethics, family sciences, cultural anthropology, medicine, nursing, social work, and evolutionary biology - need to step up as members of the “who” that shape these technologies in order to inform the “how” if we are to create this technology in our own, human image.?

Ethics and Equity: AI Should Work for People, Not the Other Way Around

AI is only as good as the data it learns from and feeds from. If that data is biased, AI will reinforce disparities. Ethics in AI goes beyond preventing bias—it’s about designing systems that prioritize people.

We must ask ourselves often:

??? Who benefits from this technology?

?? Who might be harmed?

?? How do commit that AI serves both the clinician and the patient, not just the system?

At its core, AI is a tool. And tools are only as effective as the hands that wield them. That means it’s up to all of us—technologists, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers—to ensure AI enhances human connection rather than eroding it.

The Speed of Innovation vs. The Speed of Trust

In the tech industry, there’s a mantra: “Fail fast, iterate often, and achieve at scale.” That works well in software, but not in human lives. The ability to pivot quickly is valuable, but moving fast should never come at the cost of dignity, foresight, or care.

Here’s what we’ve learned from working at the intersection of technology and human impact:

?? Speed requires intentionality. The best teams don’t just move fast—they move in the right direction, guided by their moral compass.

?? Decisions rooted in values lead to sustainable impact. Organizations that prioritize ethics and trust will outlast those that chase short-term gains.

?? Technology is an enabler, not the answer. AI can enhance efficiency, but it should never replace human judgment, empathy, and decision-making.

As we navigate this AI-powered era, together, we must constantly ask ourselves:

?? Does this technology serve the patient, or does it serve the system?

? Does it enhance human connection, or does it create new barriers?

? Does it reflect the values of compassion, equity, and trust that define healthcare at its best?

Because at the end of the day, AI is not the story. We are.

AI is transforming healthcare—that is inevitable. Whether it strengthens or weakens our humanity along the way, that’s up to us.