LLMs and Generative AI for Healthcare

Chapter 1. Doctor’s Black Bag

In C. M. Kornbluth’s short story “The Little Black Bag,”¹ Dr. Full, a struggling physician, discovers a mysterious doctor’s bag from the future filled with advanced medical devices and medicines. This futuristic equipment enhances his abilities as a doctor, allowing him to diagnose and treat patients with unprecedented efficiency. As he explores the bag’s contents, Dr. Full finds himself marveling at the potential of future medical innovations, feeling as though he’s standing on the cusp of a healthcare revolution.

However, Kornbluth’s tale is not simply a celebration of medical progress. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that such powerful technology, in the wrong hands, can be exploited for personal gain rather than the greater good. The narrative serves as a reminder that while future medical advancements may seem magical in their capabilities, they also come with significant ethical responsibilities and potential for misuse. This fictional account prompts us to consider both the exciting possibilities and the ethical challenges that lie ahead as medical technology and AI (LLMs and generative AI) continue to advance rapidly, often in interconnected ways.

AI and LLMs have the potential to enhance clinical care, especially in those areas that augment clinicians’ decision-making processes, enhance patient-doctor interactions, streamline administrative tasks, improve patient education and engagement, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes. ...