Doctors Push Back on RFK Jr.'s AI Comments

Five physician groups have responded to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent remarks about artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare by criticizing his suggestion that AI can be a more reliable source than physicians for making diagnoses and prescribing medications. The American Medical Association and associated groups argue that such statements undermine physician expertise and erode patient trust.

They emphasize that physicians bring years of training, experience, and professional judgment to patient care, which cannot be replicated by technology. Kennedy's claims, they say, do not advance the goal of improving patient care through the responsible use of AI. The groups were reacting to Kennedy's comments at the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit in Washington.

Kennedy himself made the case for AI during the summit, stating that what was once considered malpractice to rely solely on AI for medical advice has now become standard practice. He also mentioned that the agency will make it easy for Americans to use AI for their medical decisions, potentially challenging the notion of "trust the experts" and enabling individuals to verify both medical and public health advice using AI.