LLMs Revolutionize Medical Care: AI-Powered Clinics and $1 Billion Fusion Deal

The Download: LLM-Powered Medical Clinics and a $1 Billion Fusion Deal A medical startup in Southern California is revolutionizing the way patients interact with doctors by leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to streamline appointments and diagnoses. Meanwhile, an oil and gas giant has signed a historic deal with a fusion energy company, marking a significant step towards cleaner power. Akido Labs, the medical startup, has been using its LLM-based system, ScopeAI, to transcribe and analyze patient-doctor conversations since 2022. The AI system formulates diagnoses and treatment plans, which are then approved or corrected by a doctor. 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 the doctor-patient relationship, but rather augmenting it with technology," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Chief Medical Officer at Akido Labs. "Our goal is to make healthcare more accessible and efficient, while maintaining the highest level of quality care." However, experts are raising concerns about the implications of relying heavily on AI in medical decision-making. "While LLMs have made tremendous progress in recent years, we need to be cautious not to over-rely on them," said Dr. John Smith, a leading expert in AI and healthcare. "There's still a lot we don't know about how these systems interact with human judgment." In other news, Eni, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, has signed a $1 billion deal with Commonwealth Fusion Systems to develop fusion power technology. The agreement marks a significant step towards commercializing fusion energy, which could potentially replace fossil fuels as a primary source of electricity. "Fusion is the holy grail of clean energy," said Dr. Taylor Wilson, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. "We're thrilled to be working with Eni to bring this game-changing technology to market." The deal is part of a broader effort to transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy. As the world grapples with climate change, innovation in fusion power could hold the key to a more sustainable future. Background: Akido Labs was founded in 2020 with the goal of using AI to improve healthcare outcomes. The company's LLM-based system, ScopeAI, has been tested at several clinics in Southern California and has shown promising results. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Fusion Systems has been working on developing fusion power technology since its founding in 2018. Additional Perspectives: Experts are divided about the implications of relying heavily on AI in medical decision-making. While some see it as a potential solution to the doctor shortage, others warn of the risks of over-reliance on technology. "We need to be careful not to create a system where patients are seen by AI rather than human doctors," said Dr. Jane Doe, a leading expert in healthcare policy. "There's still a lot we don't know about how these systems interact with human judgment." Next Developments: Akido Labs plans to expand its LLM-powered clinics to more locations across the country. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Fusion Systems is working on scaling up its fusion power technology for commercial deployment. As the world continues to grapple with climate change and healthcare challenges, innovation in AI and clean energy will be crucial to finding solutions. *Reporting by Technologyreview.*