Drink Whole Milk, Eat Red Meat, and Use ChatGPT
The Atlantic
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, is leading a push to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into federal health agencies as part of an ambitious "AI revolution." During his Take Back Your Health tour in Nashville, Kennedy emphasized the potential of AI to transform medicine, reduce fraud, and even provide virtual healthcare support. This initiative has already seen HHS develop tools like Elsa, an AI system designed to speed up drug reviews, and encourage employees to experiment with platforms such as ChatGPT and Gemini.
The extent of AI adoption within HHS is now becoming clear, with over 400 applications identified across the agency. These range from mundane tasks like managing electronic health records and summarizing scientific literature to more innovative uses, such as using chatbots for public relations and integrating AI into workplace communication platforms like Slack. However, many of these implementations appear to be driven by necessity rather than strategic vision—addressing staffing shortages by automating routine tasks.
Despite the rhetoric around AI's transformative potential, challenges are emerging. Internal reports suggest that AI tools often fail to meet expectations, with errors ranging from incorrect medical recommendations to mishandling sensitive data like Medicaid cases. For instance, a FDA employee reported that Elsa frequently fails at half of its assigned tasks, highlighting the risks of relying on AI in critical areas such as healthcare.
This shift toward AI-driven health services matters politically because it reflects broader trends in government modernization and reliance on technology. While proponents argue that AI can enhance efficiency and innovation, critics warn of potential pitfalls, including job losses, data privacy concerns, and the ethical dilemmas posed by AI errors. As HHS continues to expand its use of AI, these issues will likely spark ongoing debates about the balance between technological progress and human oversight in healthcare.
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/13/2026