What is your view of artificial intelligence (AI)? Once the subject of futuristic science fiction, there can be no disputing that AI is now here to stay. So, despite many’s fears about what its use means for the future of their profession, the time has come to either embrace its capabilities and adapt accordingly or to risk being left behind.
Considerations around how AI can be used effectively within many functions of the workplace are now likely to be commonplace in the vast majority of organisations. Yet, as well as considering how AI can be used to improve efficiencies within the workplace, employers should also begin to take into account how employees are using AI in their personal lives and the potential impact of this on their working lives.
For example, research published this week by Axa found more than half (59%) of those who use AI to check health-related symptoms have subsequently delayed speaking to a healthcare professional after being reassured by the tool.
A similar proportion (57%) said AI tools have made them feel more worried about symptoms, prompting them to book unnecessary medical appointments.
More than a third (36%) of respondents, meanwhile, said they turn to an AI symptom checker or ChatGPT tool as their first port of call. This is significantly higher than the 19% who turn to the NHS website for information in the first instance.
After years of warnings about relying on Google to check symptoms and the dangers of self-diagnosis, this is a worrying evolution of this trend. Particularly since becoming a parent, this is definitely something I am guilty of and, in the vast majority of cases, have ended up causing myself unnecessary worry.
Of far more concern, however, is the high percentage of people who delay seeking medical advice after effectively self-diagnosing symptoms using an AI tool. This could potentially lead to conditions becoming much more serious if an individual does not seek medical help in time.
Ensuring employees are aware of the dangers of using AI for health-related matters is, therefore, vital and may have a knock-on effect on sickness absence levels, presenteeism and, ultimately, productivity and performance.
Educating staff about the health and wellbeing benefits available to them can play a key role in this. Individuals who have been signposted to specific resources and know where they can turn to for help and advice may be much less likely to rely on AI tools for the same.
After all, AI is typically recommended to be used for just 30% of a task, with the remaining 70% being carried out by a human. So, why should greater expectations and reliance be placed on it when it comes to something as important as health?
Debbie Lovewell-Tuck
Editor
@DebbieLovewell
