Akido Labs, a medical technology startup, is leveraging the power of large language models (LLMs) to revolutionize medical appointment workflows and diagnostic processes. Their AI-driven system, ScopeAI, is currently being piloted in select Southern California clinics, offering patients faster access to specialist consultations. ScopeAI transcribes and analyzes conversations between patients and medical assistants, providing physicians with potential diagnoses and treatment options.
Prashant Samant, Akido’s CEO, asserts that this technology enables doctors to significantly increase patient throughput. However, the implementation of such advanced AI in healthcare is not without its critics. Concerns have been raised about the potential for over-reliance on AI in critical medical decision-making and the erosion of the doctor-patient relationship.
ScopeAI utilizes fine-tuned versions of advanced LLMs, including Meta’s Llama and Anthropic’s Claude, to generate relevant follow-up questions and propose potential medical conditions. The system’s recommendations are then carefully reviewed and approved by human doctors. ScopeAI is currently being implemented in various medical settings, including cardiology, endocrinology, primary care, and Akido’s outreach program serving the homeless population of Los Angeles.
The potential for automation bias, where doctors may unduly trust AI-generated insights, remains a significant concern. Akido is actively working to mitigate this risk through comprehensive training programs and continuous monitoring. Nevertheless, some experts advocate for more comprehensive research to definitively demonstrate that ScopeAI improves patient outcomes compared to traditional medical practices.