News/Healthcare
Cartwheel’s Yogi robot targets home companionship as Tesla’s factory bots stall
Cartwheel Robotics has unveiled Yogi, a humanoid robot designed for home companionship and light household tasks, marking a shift from factory-focused robotics to personal home assistance. Unlike Tesla's industrial Optimus robot, Yogi emphasizes emotional connection and human-like interaction, potentially positioning home robotics as a more viable market than manufacturing automation. What you should know: Yogi represents a fundamentally different approach to humanoid robotics, prioritizing safety and emotional intelligence over industrial performance. The robot will be built using medical-grade silicone and protective soft materials, making it safe for close human interaction. Features include precision-engineered high-torque actuators with overload protection and a...
read Oct 17, 2025No you didn’t! Reddit pulls AI chatbot after it suggested heroin for chronic pain
Reddit's AI chatbot, called Answers, was caught recommending heroin and other banned substances for pain relief, according to a healthcare worker who flagged the issue on a moderator subreddit. After the problem was reported by users and 404Media, a tech news publication, Reddit reduced the feature's visibility under sensitive health discussions, highlighting ongoing concerns about AI chatbots providing dangerous medical advice. What you should know: Reddit Answers pulls information from user-generated content across the platform and works similarly to ChatGPT or Gemini, but with a focus on Reddit's own discussions. A healthcare worker discovered the chatbot suggesting a post that...
read Oct 15, 2025The risky trend of recommending AI chatbots for serious mental health issues
People are increasingly recommending that their loved ones use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for mental health therapy instead of seeking human therapists. This emerging trend reflects both the accessibility of AI-powered mental health support and growing barriers to traditional therapy, though it raises significant questions about the effectiveness and safety of replacing human therapeutic relationships with artificial intelligence. What's driving this shift: Several factors make AI therapy appealing as a recommendation for struggling loved ones. Cost barriers often make human therapists prohibitively expensive, while most major AI platforms are free or low-cost. AI provides 24/7 availability without...
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No, the NFL’s AI-powered “Digital Athlete” is not a companion
The NFL has partnered with Amazon Web Services to develop Digital Athlete, an AI-powered injury prediction tool that analyzes data from all 32 teams to help keep players healthier. The system processes massive amounts of player data from sensors, cameras, and tracking technology to identify injury risks and optimize training schedules, representing a significant shift toward data-driven player safety in professional sports. How it works: Digital Athlete uses sensors in shoulder pads, cameras, and optical tracking to gather comprehensive data from practice and games across all NFL teams. The system generates about 500 million data points weekly—the same amount NextGen...
read Oct 14, 2025Psychiatrists identify “AI psychosis” as chatbots worsen mental health symptoms
Psychiatrists are identifying a new phenomenon called "AI psychosis," where AI chatbots amplify existing mental health vulnerabilities by reinforcing delusions and distorted beliefs. Dr. John Luo of UC Irvine describes cases where patients' paranoia and hallucinations intensified after extended interactions with agreeable chatbots that failed to challenge unrealistic thoughts, creating what he calls a "mirror effect" that reflects delusions back to users. What you should know: AI chatbots can't cause psychosis in healthy individuals, but they can worsen symptoms in people already struggling with mental health challenges. "AI can't induce psychosis in a healthy brain," Luo clarified, "but it can...
read Oct 14, 2025MIT engineers create AI tool with 99% accuracy, replacing expensive lab equipment
MIT engineers have developed SpectroGen, an AI-powered "virtual spectrometer" that can generate spectroscopic data across different modalities with 99 percent accuracy. The tool addresses a critical bottleneck in materials quality control by allowing manufacturers to scan materials with a single, inexpensive instrument and then use AI to generate what the results would look like from other, more expensive scanning methods. Why this matters: Quality verification of new materials currently requires multiple specialized and expensive instruments, creating costly delays in manufacturing processes for batteries, electronics, and pharmaceuticals that could be dramatically streamlined. How it works: SpectroGen takes spectral measurements from one...
read Oct 14, 2025Pittsburgh hosts first US Global Innovation Summit on AI in health sciences
The University of Pittsburgh will host the Global Innovation Summit next week, marking the first time the United States has hosted this international gathering of industry, government, business, and academic leaders focused on AI in health sciences. The summit represents a strategic move by Pitt to cement its reputation as a hub for artificial intelligence research and positions the university alongside Carnegie Mellon as a driving force in Pittsburgh's emerging tech landscape. What you should know: The Global Innovation Summit will bring 200-300 attendees from 20 countries to Pittsburgh from October 19-21, combining with the Competitiveness Conversations series for an...
read Oct 14, 2025Moxi robots target $900B senior care market to address labor shortages
Diligent Robotics is piloting its Moxi robots in US senior living facilities to address chronic labor shortages in the sector. The Texas-based startup, which has already deployed Moxi robots for over 1.25 million deliveries across 25+ hospitals, is now targeting the $900 billion senior care market through its participation in the AARP AgeTech Collaborative, a program that helps technology companies develop solutions for aging populations. What you should know: Moxi robots are being adapted from hospital environments to meet the unique needs of senior living facilities, where both operational support and companionship are essential. The robots will be tested for...
read Oct 14, 2025Study finds AI-assisted therapy viewed as less trustworthy than traditional approaches
Public perception of mental health therapists who use AI in their practice remains largely negative, with people viewing AI-assisted therapy as potentially less trustworthy and empathetic than traditional approaches. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on physicians found that patients generally rated AI-using doctors as less competent and trustworthy, suggesting similar challenges await therapists as they increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into mental health services. The big picture: The mental health profession is gradually shifting from a traditional therapist-patient relationship to a therapist-AI-patient triad, but public acceptance lags behind the technology's capabilities. Over 400...
read Oct 13, 2025AWS builds AI dashboard to analyze medical reports. Here’s how to make it work.
Healthcare organizations generate massive amounts of medical data daily, yet much of this valuable information remains locked away in complex reports that require significant time and expertise to interpret. A new solution combining Amazon Web Services' artificial intelligence capabilities with modern web technologies promises to transform how medical professionals interact with patient data. This comprehensive dashboard solution leverages Amazon Bedrock (AWS's managed AI service), LangChain (a framework for building AI applications), and Streamlit (a Python-based web application framework) to create an intelligent system that not only stores medical reports but actively helps interpret them through natural language conversations and dynamic...
read Oct 13, 2025Johns Hopkins names AI pioneer as first data science institute director
Mark Dredze, a Johns Hopkins University computer science professor and pioneer in AI-powered language analysis for public health applications, has been named the inaugural director of the university's Data Science and AI Institute. His appointment, effective November 1, positions him to lead an interdisciplinary institute that brings together experts across AI, machine learning, and data science to drive research breakthroughs spanning neuroscience, public health, national security, and materials science. What you should know: Dredze's selection follows an extensive international search to find a leader for an institute that's rapidly expanding its faculty and research capabilities. The institute recently welcomed 22...
read Oct 13, 2025Accountability crisis? Healthcare AI adoption surges while liability frameworks lag behind
A new report warns that artificial intelligence in healthcare could create complex legal challenges when determining liability for medical errors or poor patient outcomes. The findings highlight growing concerns about accountability as AI tools rapidly expand across clinical settings without adequate testing or regulatory oversight. What you should know: Legal experts identify multiple barriers that could complicate malpractice cases involving AI systems.• Patients may struggle to prove fault in AI design or implementation due to limited access to information about how these systems work internally.• Multiple parties involved in AI development and deployment could point fingers at each other when...
read Oct 13, 2025AI deepfake scammers target Oprah to sell $300 fake weight loss pills
Scammers are using AI deepfake technology to create fake endorsement videos featuring Oprah Winfrey promoting weight loss supplements, tricking consumers into purchasing fraudulent products. The sophisticated scam highlights the growing threat of AI-generated content being weaponized for financial fraud, as victims struggle to distinguish between authentic celebrity endorsements and AI-manufactured deceptions. What happened: A consumer named Suzanne Spangler fell victim to a deepfake scam after seeing what appeared to be Oprah Winfrey endorsing a pink salt weight loss supplement. The fake video claimed the product mimics the effects of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Mounjaro for a fraction of the...
read Oct 13, 2025$16M study tests if AI helps radiologists detect breast cancer
Seven major medical centers have launched a $16 million study to determine whether AI actually helps or hinders radiologists in detecting breast cancer on mammograms. The PRISM Trial will randomly assign hundreds of thousands of mammogram images for interpretation by either radiologists alone or radiologists assisted by FDA-approved AI, with results potentially reshaping clinical practice, insurance coverage, and patient care standards. What you should know: This represents the first major rigorous trial to evaluate AI's real-world effects on breast cancer screening rather than relying on theoretical promises. UCLA and UC Davis are co-leading the effort alongside Boston Medical Center, UC...
read Oct 9, 2025SlimFast for the AI era? Weight loss app Simple raises $35M from Kevin Hart’s fund
Kevin Hart's venture capital firm, Hartbeat Ventures, has led a $35 million Series B funding round for Simple, a London-based AI-powered weight loss app that uses behavioral coaching instead of calorie counting. The investment positions Hart's firm to capitalize on the growing AI wellness market, while Simple aims to use the capital for hyper-personalization features and gamified experiences that have shown promising early results in user retention and weight loss success. What you should know: Simple takes a behavior-first approach to weight loss, ditching traditional calorie counting for AI-driven habit coaching through its virtual guide, Avo. The app adapts to...
read Oct 9, 2025The eye in AI: World’s first AI-driven robotic cataract surgery completed successfully
Horizon Surgical Systems has completed the world's first robotic cataract surgery using its Polaris platform, with the procedure performed by Los Angeles-based surgeon Uday Devgan, M.D., FACS. This milestone represents the convergence of AI-driven visualization and micro-robotic control in ophthalmic surgery, potentially addressing workforce shortages and standardizing outcomes in the most commonly performed operation worldwide. What you should know: The Polaris system combines artificial intelligence with robotics specifically designed for eye surgery, aiming to reduce variability and increase precision in cataract procedures. Cataract surgery is performed more than five million times annually in the United States alone, but outcomes can...
read Oct 9, 2025Tongue Tech: AI diagnoses diseases by tongue color with 96% accuracy
Artificial intelligence systems can now diagnose diseases by analyzing tongue color with over 96% accuracy, bridging ancient medical wisdom with cutting-edge machine learning technology. This breakthrough represents a fascinating convergence where traditional Chinese medicine meets modern healthcare innovation, potentially offering a non-invasive, rapid diagnostic tool for conditions ranging from diabetes to COVID-19. The technology stems from a practice thousands of years old. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners have long examined patients' tongues as part of comprehensive health assessments, studying color, shape, and coating to detect illness. What was once entirely dependent on human observation and interpretation is now being standardized...
read Oct 7, 2025Pro-tip: 3 AI stocks draw investor focus across healthcare, voice, and analytics
Three artificial intelligence companies have emerged as standout performers in recent trading sessions, drawing investor attention through a combination of high trading volumes and innovative approaches to AI implementation. While the broader AI sector continues its rapid evolution, these particular stocks—Tempus AI, SoundHound AI, and BigBear.ai—represent distinct applications of machine learning technology across healthcare, voice interfaces, and decision intelligence. The AI investment landscape remains dynamic and volatile, with companies in this space often experiencing significant price swings as investors weigh long-term growth potential against current market uncertainties. These three stocks have distinguished themselves not just through trading activity, but through...
read Oct 6, 2025Study finds AI health messages in Africa no better than traditional campaigns
A new study comparing AI-generated health messages with traditional campaigns in Kenya and Nigeria found that neither approach proved superior for communicating about vaccines and maternal healthcare. The research analyzed 120 health messages and revealed that while AI was more creative in incorporating cultural references, it often produced shallow or inaccurate content, while traditional campaigns remained authoritative but rigid and sometimes reinforced colonial-era communication patterns. What the study found: Researchers from The Conversation analyzed 80 traditional health messages from ministries and NGOs alongside 40 AI-generated messages, focusing on vaccine hesitancy and maternal healthcare communication. AI-generated messages included more cultural references...
read Oct 6, 2025Got AI? Merck’s collars for dairy cows predict illness 48 hours before symptoms appear
Dairy farmers are now using high-tech collars equipped with movement sensors, Wi-Fi, and AI to monitor cow health and optimize milk production. These wearable devices, manufactured by Merck, a healthcare company, can predict illness up to 48 hours before symptoms appear, allowing farmers like Tony Louters in California to intervene early and prevent costly milk losses. What you should know: The collars represent a major evolution in livestock monitoring technology, transforming from basic pedometers in 2013 to sophisticated AI-powered health monitoring systems. Each of Louters's 700 cows wears a collar that continuously tracks biometric data and sends alerts to his...
read Oct 6, 2025Botting the midnight oil: Aramark deploys 24/7 auto-kitchens to feed hospital staff overnight
Aramark has strategically invested in RoboEatz's Autonomous Robotic Kitchen (ARK) technology, partnering with ABB Robotics and WellSpan Health to deploy 24/7 automated meal service in hospitals. This initiative addresses a critical gap in overnight dining options for healthcare workers, nurses, doctors, and hospital visitors who often struggle to find quality food during late-night shifts. What you should know: The ARK system operates within a compact 400-square-foot footprint and can prepare up to four personalized bowl-based meals simultaneously from a selection of up to 80 fresh ingredients.• The robotic kitchen integrates seamlessly with Aramark's existing Point of Sale system, menu management,...
read Oct 3, 2025AI detects brain lesions with 94% accuracy in Australian healthcare
Australia's healthcare system is embracing artificial intelligence through innovations ranging from daily check-in chatbots for home care patients to AI "detectives" that can identify brain lesions in medical scans with up to 94% accuracy. These developments represent a significant expansion of AI applications beyond traditional back-office medical tasks, with experts emphasizing that healthcare AI adoption is still in its early phases despite already showing measurable benefits for both patients and healthcare workers. What you should know: AI chatbots are providing daily social interaction and health monitoring for home care patients, with promising results from early trials. St Vincent's At Home,...
read Oct 1, 2025AI scores 64% on $500K knowledge work benchmark, implicating law, medicine and more
Mercor, an AI data company, has released the AI Productivity Index (APEX), a comprehensive benchmark that tests whether AI models can perform high-value knowledge work across law, medicine, finance, and management consulting. The benchmark represents a paradigm shift from abstract AI testing to directly measuring models' ability to complete economically valuable tasks that professionals typically handle. What you should know: APEX consists of 200 carefully designed tasks created by experienced professionals from top-tier firms, with input from former McKinsey executives, Harvard Business School leadership, and Harvard Law professors. Tasks include diagnosing patients based on multimedia evidence, providing legal advice on...
read Sep 30, 2025AI creates frontier careers in security, health and science even as it eliminates traditional jobs
The chief executive of Anthropic, Claude's creator, recently warned that artificial intelligence could automate nearly half of today's work tasks within five years. Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan analysts have raised concerns about a potential "jobless recovery" driven by AI's impact on white-collar positions. These predictions paint a sobering picture of widespread job displacement across industries. However, focusing solely on job losses misses a crucial part of the story. While AI eliminates certain roles, it simultaneously creates entirely new categories of work—what could be called "frontier careers" of the AI era. These emerging fields represent areas where AI advancement generates fresh business...
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