LLMs Prescribe New Era of Medicine: Clinics in Southern California Pioneer AI-Driven Diagnoses

The Download: LLM-Powered Medicine and a Billion-Dollar Fusion Deal In a move that has sparked debate among medical professionals, a small number of clinics in Southern California have begun using Large Language Models (LLMs) to run appointments and make diagnoses. The system, developed by Akido Labs, uses an LLM-based platform called ScopeAI to transcribe and analyze patient-doctor conversations, with a doctor then approving or correcting the AI's recommendations. According to Akido's CEO, this approach allows doctors to see four to five times as many patients as they could previously. "We're not replacing doctors, we're augmenting them," said the CEO in an interview. "Our system is designed to free up doctors' time so they can focus on more complex cases and provide better care." However, experts are skeptical about the implications of relying heavily on AI in medical decision-making. "While LLMs have made tremendous progress in recent years, we're still far from being able to replicate human judgment and empathy," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a leading expert in medical ethics. The use of LLMs in medicine is not without precedent. Google's DeepMind Health has been using AI-powered systems to analyze patient data and provide insights for doctors since 2017. However, the Akido Labs system is notable for its reliance on human-annotated data and its ability to learn from conversations with patients. Meanwhile, a major breakthrough in fusion power has been announced, with Eni, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, signing a $1 billion deal with Commonwealth Fusion Systems. The agreement will see Eni invest in CFS's development of a compact fusion reactor, which could potentially provide clean energy on a commercial scale. The deal is seen as a major step forward for fusion power, which has long been touted as a potential solution to the world's energy needs. "This investment is a game-changer for our company and for the entire industry," said CFS CEO Bob Mumgaard in a statement. As the use of LLMs in medicine continues to grow, experts are warning about the need for careful regulation and oversight. "We need to be mindful of the potential risks and consequences of relying on AI in medical decision-making," said Dr. Kim. "It's not just about the technology itself, but also about how it's being used and who is accountable." Background: Large Language Models (LLMs) are a type of artificial intelligence that uses natural language processing to analyze and generate human-like text. They have been widely adopted in various industries, including healthcare, finance, and education. The use of LLMs in medicine has the potential to revolutionize patient care by providing doctors with real-time insights and recommendations. However, it also raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated diagnoses and treatment plans. Current Status: Akido Labs' ScopeAI system is currently being used at a small number of clinics in Southern California, with plans to expand to more locations in the near future. The company has reported positive results from its pilot program, with doctors seeing significant increases in patient throughput and satisfaction. Commonwealth Fusion Systems' compact fusion reactor is still in development, but the $1 billion investment from Eni will help accelerate its progress towards commercialization. Next Developments: As the use of LLMs in medicine continues to grow, we can expect to see more companies developing similar systems. However, experts are warning about the need for careful regulation and oversight to ensure that these technologies are used safely and responsibly. In the field of fusion power, Eni's investment will help drive innovation and development towards commercialization. As CFS CEO Bob Mumgaard noted, "This is just the beginning of a new era in clean energy." *Reporting by Technologyreview.*