Our Fears and Hopes for AI Medicine
Psychology Today
by Justin C. Key M.D.February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, bringing both hope and fear as it integrates into medicine. While advancements like telehealth and HIPAA-compliant tools have improved productivity for physicians, they also pose risks such as distraction and over-reliance on technology. The growing ubiquity of AI raises concerns about its impact on critical thinking and patient care, especially in mental health where therapeutic relationships are crucial.
The potential for AI to disrupt healthcare is undeniable, but ethical issues like hallucinations and biases in large language models highlight the need for caution. Physicians must adapt to these changes while maintaining human-led decision-making. The integration of AI tools, such as those that assist in diagnosing or treating patients
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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/23/2026