Shining a Light on Artificial Intelligence

As we navigate the cutting-edge waters of technologies like the Apple Vision Pro, it's hard not to wonder (with a raised eyebrow, perhaps?) about the state of our privacy. The advanced gadget, a Moonshot if they clear through the noise of skeptics, promises a whole new world of augmented reality experiences, but at what cost to our personal data sanctuaries? I stand in fascination with the opportunity and am hesitant at the potential risk to my healthcare privacy.

It is complicated.

Since being honored as a Top Voice, I gained new members to my circle who pioneer innovative usage of Artificial Intelligence. One new Shooting Star, Harvey Castro MD, MBA. Dr Castro generously shares his experiences in technology and ways his colleagues could benefit from integrating a variety of resources to automate and enhance our current processes. He and his colleague, Brooks Wood, published a book, Apple Vision Healthcare Pioneers: A Community for Professionals & Patients. Through this book provided recently for our R&D, I began a journey to understand the complexity that these healthcare professionals and innovators were willing to offer. They provided their insights to professionals on this new Apple Vision device that many had never heard of until recent news. They intend to explore innovating healthcare with "the transformative power of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)."

As I dive into the first chapters, my unquenchable curiosity about a variety of Artificial Intelligence platforms invites me to keep an open mind towards every word.

Remote patient monitoring, powered by AI, extends the reach of healthcare beyond traditional settings. Wearable devices equipped with AI algorithms provide continuous health monitoring, enabling proactive interventions and offering a comprehensive view of a patient's health status in real-time, revolutionizing patient care.

My children received Oculuses (or maybe Oculi?) for Christmas one year, and I never saw any more value in them than playing VR games. Would this device prove to function in lives more than just a toy?

Could the Apple Vision Pro, with its treasure trove of data collection, including those intimate biometric secrets, be just a tad too nosy? It's like inviting a friend who can't help but peek into your medicine cabinet. We must ask ourselves, what kind of digital bouncer will keep our data safe from prying eyes?

And let's talk about the brainy bunch behind the scenes—AI and machine learning algorithms. They're processing our personal info with a zeal that could make a detective blush. But is everything on the up and up? Are we just unquestioningly trusting these digital wizards with our secrets, or do we have a say in the magic tricks being performed with our data?

Machine learning (ML) algorithms have the transformative potential to enhance patient care by analyzing extensive datasets, including medical history, laboratory results, and vital signs. This analysis enables the prediction of outcomes such as hospital readmissions, complications, and disease progression, fundamentally improving healthcare delivery by offering personalized patient insights. This would prove progressive when patients face the "white coat" frequently, compelled to start losing trust in the medical system to take care of their health, when in fact, it may be additional underlying, undiagnosed conditions or a lack of follow-through on prescribed medications or activities on the patient's behalf.

Personalized medicine represents a significant advancement facilitated by ML, which allows for the customization of treatments based on individual patient data, including genetic markers. This tailoring of healthcare interventions can significantly enhance treatment efficacy and minimize the risk of adverse reactions, marking a leap forward in patient care customization.

Privacy and trust in the doctor-patient relationship are crucial, especially as data monitoring becomes more integrated into healthcare. Establishing clear privacy boundaries ensures that patients feel comfortable and secure, knowing their health data is used responsibly to improve care outcomes.

Advanced ML applications, such as analyzing facial expressions and eye movements, offer nuanced insights into a patient's emotional state, enhancing physician-patient communications. This technology supports a more accurate assessment of patient conditions, aiding in the detection of emotional distress or misunderstandings without compromising the integrity of the patient's self-reported information.

The importance of considering a patient's lifestyle and choices in medical treatment remains paramount. A patient's autonomy over their treatment decisions, including medication adherence, underscores the necessity for open dialogues between healthcare providers and patients. Such conversations can reveal underlying reasons for treatment outcomes, attributing them to factors like malnutrition or other health conditions, and are essential for adjusting care plans effectively.

The capability of ML to integrate and learn from diverse data sources promises a future where healthcare can be predictive and proactive. Understanding the relationship between actions (X) and outcomes (Y) enables healthcare providers to make informed decisions, leading to improved patient care. This predictive approach encourages a systematic examination of health interventions and their impacts.

Though, think about it: the idea of being under a constant gaze, with our data being hoovered up by an eager device, certainly stirs the pot. How does the Apple Vision Pro ensure we're not just data points in its grand scheme, and can we ghost it if we feel like it's getting too clingy?

Consent in the digital age is like a handshake agreement—it must be clear, understood, and mutual. Are we entirely in the loop about what we're signing up for with devices like the Apple Vision Pro, or are we just nodding along to the terms and conditions, like agreeing to bring a salad to a barbecue when we wanted to bring dessert?

Are users fully informed about the types of data being collected and the purposes for which it is used? The fine line between enhancing user experience and infringing on individual privacy rights is a significant consideration, prompting a closer examination of the consent mechanisms employed by the Apple Vision Pro. The technology remains promising, though, in light of these concerns.

The product development team wrapped their minds around several significant blockers to segment this headset aside from the others, leveraging technology in "spatial computing" to maximize real-time retinal imaging to detect the user's focus. This device will track their retina involving direct light as it interacts with the digital content within the screen. The headset patent grants innovative sensors to enable users to interact with the activity in front of them by way of directing light toward the retina and capturing images that reflect the eye's focus state.

Consider the data collected here for the future. While gauging a profitable product to be used in gaming and entertainment, other factors could benefit the general population. How about the plethora of remote workers who seek to have at least SOMEBODY in the room with them while they work, either to bounce ideas off of or plainly have a presence for mental health? This could be accomplished by creating an immersive work environment. How about the numerous medical visits that we schedule as we age, (not that I am getting older!) These could be successfully accomplished if the "characters" experienced an immersive and responsive setting, negating elderly from needing a driver, kids from leaving school unless necessary, or adults in general from taking an extra amount of time to drive to the doctors's office.

Along those same lines in healthcare...Could weakness in the eyes, dimness in object recognition, or other underlying health conditions surface and become detectable with regular documentation while using the Apple Vision Pro?

Yes, I am excited about the possibilities. The book will go into more detail on the striving efforts in health care to help streamline patient health care. You'll learn about how data can be measured over time, professionals can review this data to make informed decisions, and patient treatment plans can become more tailored for the person instead of general practice.

Does that mean it is perfect?

Not yet. The imaging is coming along, an app to coordinate care for the patient is in testing, and along with other Apple wearable devices like the Apple Watch, remote care has become possible with health sensors to feed the data sources being used to track progress and decline.

Immersive health care made great strides with the Apple Vision Pro, but security risks could be its Achilles' Heel, as they prove to be in every industry.

In light of these concerns, the implementation of robust privacy protections and transparent data handling practices becomes paramount. The question remains:

Can the Apple Vision Pro and similar technologies strike an appropriate balance between leveraging advanced capabilities for user benefit while rigorously protecting user privacy?

As the debate continues, the answer to this question will play a critical role in determining the success and acceptance of the Apple Vision Pro and similar devices in the market. Ensuring the integrity of privacy protections in the face of rapid technological advancement is not just a challenge but a necessity for fostering trust and security in the digital age.

Interested in learning more? Read the book to see what else Dr. Harvey Castro, MD, MBA. and his colleague, Brooks Wood, report in Apple Vision Healthcare Pioneers: A Community for Professionals & Patients.

Let's remember the mission: to blend technological innovation with respect for our digital privacy.

The journey ahead to fulfill this Moonshot mission is filled with both excitement and a bit of healthy skepticism. The goal is to find the sweet spot between embracing the future and protecting our digital dignity. Here's to hoping we can enjoy the party without worrying about who's got the guest list.

Thank you, Dr Harvey, for your ongoing education and suggested resources to experiment with for our development. I look forward to sharing more lessons next week, highlighting other MoonShot ideas and Shooting Stars who inspire me for those who have a growth mindset.

?? Nikki Estes ??