How to Harness AI for Good Featuring Michael Tresca

Update: 2026-02-24

Description

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized in healthcare for many purposes. Patients are wondering how they can safely and effectively use AI tools to educate themselves and to manage their health. Amber and guest Michael Tresca discuss what AI is, how it works, and why skepticism and source verification are essential. They highlight practical, lower-risk ways patients might use AI, such as organizing personal health data, drafting appointment questions, and explaining medical terms. The emphasis is on ongoing education, privacy concerns, responsible use, and the importance of "trust but verify" when using AI for critical health decisions without professional input.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD196

Timestamps:

00:05 — Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:20 — Recap of Previous Episode and Relationship Disclosure
02:16 — Defining AI and Common Misconceptions
04:14 — AI in Clinical and Patient Use
05:11 — AI in Everyday Search and Unintentional Use
06:39 — AI Hallucinations: What They Are and Why They Happen
10:13 — Importance of AI Showing Its Work and Sources
10:58 — Challenges in Understanding AI's Reasoning
14:33 — AI Training Data and Source Reliability
15:31 — Risks of Outdated or Inaccurate Health Information
21:35 — AI's Responsibility in Providing Answers
23:13 — Tolerance for Error and Regulation in AI
24:02 — Transition to Patient Use Cases
24:19 — Using AI to Organize Medical Information
26:23 — Drafting Questions for Appointments with AI
27:19 — Tracking Symptoms or Diet with AI
28:22 — AI for Coping with Brain Fog or Fatigue
31:10 — Listener Feedback: Avoiding AI
32:31 — Listener Feedback: Privacy, Data Breaches, and Environmental Concerns
34:45 — Listener Feedback: Worry About Errors
36:29 — Listener Feedback: Using AI for Definitions and Basic Research
37:24 — Listener Feedback: Using AI to Explain Test Results
40:31 — Listener Feedback: Healthcare Providers Using AI for Notetaking
43:30 — Ethics of Recording Medical Visits
44:42 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts
46:25 — Outro and Credits

Find Michael Tresca at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar
Instagram: @world_of_welstar
Facebook: @worldofwelstar
MeWe: http://tinyurl.com/MeWeTRPG
Threads: http://tinyurl.com/threadsWOW
Bluesky: https://blskyl.ink/worldofwelstar
Amazon: http://amzn.to/41jMn5h
EN World: http://tinyurl.com/ENWRPG
Drive Through RPG: http://tinyurl.com/DTRPGMNT
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Find Amber J Tresca at:

AboutIBD.com: About IBD
Verywell: Verywell Health
Facebook: @aboutIBD
Twitter: @aboutIBD
Pinterest: @aboutibd
Instagram: @about_IBD
YouTube: @AboutIBD
Threads: @about_IBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
Web: Cooney Studio
YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

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