Stephen Hawking, renowned British theoretical physicist, recently stated, "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race." Hawking, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) has been using artificial intelligence (AI) for years to help him speak and communicate. His prediction is that AI will outpace and overtake human intelligence because human biological evolution is slow in comparison to the exponential rate of technological innovations.1
In 2011, Watson, an IBM intelligent computer, won Jeopardy matches over human contestants, demonstrating that machines could comprehend normal human language, think, and respond. Was this the start of intelligent computers replacing humans?
Robots as caregivers
Robots have been used for specific tasks in healthcare for many years. Does the use of robots improve patient care? Are they more cost effective than a human workforce? Researchers study these questions and the utility of robots with targeted populations, especially older adults.
In The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Huston discusses the impact of emerging technology on nursing care.2 The author gave the benefits and challenges of seven emerging technologies: genetics and genomics, less invasive and more accurate tools for diagnosis and management, 3D printing, robotics, biometrics, electronic health records, and computerized provider order entry and clinical decision support. Robots are steadier and more precise, making them useful in performing surgical procedures. Robots are being developed as adjunct care providers, especially for older adults. Robots used in nursing education can be programmed to mimic human attributes, such as crying, sweating, and talking to make the learning experience more natural.
Robots as future direct caregivers have significant implications for nursing-the largest segment of healthcare providers. In general, however, we feel that robots lack emotions and would never totally replace human caregivers. However, scientists today are experimenting with robots that can read human emotions, gestures, and body language, and thus, provide caring in addition to performing tasks.
Embracing new technologies
Huston identifies three nursing skill sets needed to appropriately respond to these emerging technologies, one of which was "being able to use technology to facilitate mobility, communication, and relationships."2 Nursing is already using many of the technologies for communication, such as the Internet, social media, and telehealth. Four challenges for nursing leadership were noted: "balancing the human element with technology, balancing cost and benefits, training a technology-enabled nursing workforce and assuring ongoing competency, and assuring that technology use is ethical."2
Nursing must find a way to embrace the new technologies, including robots, without losing the art of nursing or the caring. Nursing must take the lead in nursing education (versus being led by others) to assure that curricula reflect these new technologies and that nurses are prepared for leadership roles in a new workforce that will include AI in various forms.
A machine's job
Not all scientists are as pessimistic as Hawking, but they do admit that AI is "our biggest existential threat."1 Imagine that I walk into my primary care office one day and am told, "I'm sorry, Jamie, but your patients have been reassigned to our newest employee: Robo-NP. The bottom line is that she works faster and better than you and costs a lot less."
Jamesetta Newland, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, DPNAP
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF [email protected]
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