Sides drawn as Alexa begins dispensing NHS health information
The UK’s National Health Service announced Wednesday that it’s partnering with Amazon on AI. The plan is to offer NHS-approved health advice to every Brit who speaks a health-related query into an Alexa-enabled device.
Critics were quick to pounce, voicing concerns over privacy from some AI experts and data ethicists.
Their arguments were met by pushback from other well-informed opinion holders.
BBC News has posted a summary roundup of the arguments.
“Who has access to the data?” a physician tweeted. “Where is the data stored? Will the data be used for marketing? Will the data be sold? What happens if a serious diagnosis is possible from the patient’s query?”
Taking the other side, a journalist called the “fuss” over the partnership “ridiculous."
“It’s just a Google search you talk to, and at least people will get NHS [information].”
In any case, as the BBC notes, it’s no secret that Amazon has been seeking inroads into healthcare markets. Is its new partnership with the NHS of a piece with those goals?
Click here to read the Beeb’s coverage of the debate, which includes links to several related news items, and here for broadcast coverage from Sky News.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.