Episode 59: How is AI changing pathology? With Imogen Fitt of Signify Research

Responsible AI is a much vaunted concept that aims to connect AI with human rights, equality and fairness. Whocould argue with that? Well there are plenty of critics who complain that in practice, restrictions of these kind only stifle innovation and progress. And in accepting such restrictions we risk delivering outcomes that are worse.

Agentic AI systems are causing a huge buzz right now. These are AI systems that actively make changes in the world as opposed to merely giving information.

Video calls to your doctor from your home, is old news and very 2021. But what if you could have a consultation with your doctor from home, which involved YOU performing physical exams yourself, AND as accurately as with an in-person visit?This is what new AI-guided tools claim to be already delivering. This could potntially mean a drastic easing on healthcare systems and better outcomes for people with serious health conditions.

Normally on this amazing podcast I cover AI systems that can help with medical treatment. Today we are discussing an angle on the harms of AI on health. With me to discuss is doyen of the art world and AI provocateuse, the amazing and wonderful Gretchen Andrew In particular, we look at whether are AI tools are providing a particualrly pernicious and powerful way in which our perceptions of beauty are becoming distorted. And whether those distorted perceptions are setting us up for anxiety, depression and even body dysmorphia. For professional and life coaching for health execs, see https://coolcoaching.co.uk/ The Medical AI Podcast is the world's number one podcast on medical AI on Spotify and Apple Podcasts (according to Podseo, FeedSpot and Millionpodcasts).

Scary fact: fertility rates across the West have plummeted to alarmingly low levels, marking a significant demographic shift. Most Western countries now have a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) well below the 'replacement level' of approximately 2.1 children per woman—the rate needed to maintain a population size without migration. For instance, the European Union's TFR hit a historical low of just 1.38 live births per woman in 2023, with countries like Spain and Italy seeing rates as low as 1.12 and 1.2 respectively. This downward trend is a major societal change, driven by the rising cost of living, delayed parenthood, and economic uncertainty. The long-term impact of these plummeting rates presents profound challenges for Western societies. The most immediate concern is a rapidly ageing population and a resulting shrinking workforce. This demographic imbalance places immense strain on public finances, as fewer working-age people are left to fund the increasing costs of pensions and healthcare for a growing number of elderly citizens. A smaller, older population can also lead to slower economic growth due to labour shortages, forcing Western nations to fundamentally reorganise their societies and policy approaches.