FHC #161: AI will help docs be their best selves, says Google’s Karen DeSalvo

Fixing Healthcare Podcast

In the latest episode of Fixing Healthcare, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome Dr. Karen DeSalvo, an internal medicine physician and the Chief Health Officer at Google, to explore the transformative impact of technology on healthcare.

Drawing from her vast experience—including roles as Health Commissioner in New Orleans and National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under the Obama administration—DeSalvo provides a compelling vision for how AI, multimodal data collection and cloud systems will shape the future of medicine.

This interview is part of Season 10, which focuses on how technology will redefine healthcare in the coming years. When asked by Dr. Pearl about the three technologies she believes will have the greatest impact on healthcare, DeSalvo highlighted the following:

1. Generative AI (Gen AI)

DeSalvo delves into the revolutionary potential of generative AI in healthcare. She envisions a future where AI agents not only automate tasks but help healthcare providers achieve their “best selves.”

These agents will enhance clinical workflows, facilitate patient engagement and support personalized medicine. Beyond the clinical setting, DeSalvo foresees AI acting as a patient’s personal advocate, navigating health journeys, offering preventive insights and even revisiting doctor-patient visits to clarify instructions or analyze diagnostics. While acknowledging the current limitations of AI’s reliability, she predicts that as these models grow exponentially in power, their integration into healthcare teams will revolutionize care delivery.

2. Multimodal data collection

The discussion shifts to the integration of multimodal data from various sources, such as sensors, smartphones and environmental monitors. DeSalvo explains how these technologies can create a comprehensive health narrative for individuals, aiding in the early detection of chronic diseases and other health issues.

She paints a futuristic picture where these tools seamlessly integrate into daily life, acting like a constant companion—“like having your primary care doctor or even your mom with you at all times”—nudging healthier behaviors and contextualizing health data in real time.

For underserved populations, such tools could expand access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care, bridging critical gaps in health equity.

3. Cloud technology and data systems

DeSalvo underscores the importance of cloud-based solutions in unlocking the potential of health data. She highlights the barriers posed by siloed, on-premise systems and paper records, which hinder care continuity, scientific research and patient experience.

Cloud environments, she argues, offer enhanced cybersecurity, interoperability and opportunities for rapid AI advancements. By making data accessible while maintaining privacy and security, cloud technology could drive equitable health outcomes globally and foster collaboration across healthcare organizations.

Throughout the episode, DeSalvo’s insights are grounded in her practical experiences in public health and technology. She shares examples of Google’s initiatives, such as using Android platforms to support community health workers in rural areas and leveraging AI tools like AlphaFold for groundbreaking protein-folding research. She emphasizes the importance of creating solutions tailored to real-world challenges, particularly in low-resource settings.

Dr. Pearl concludes the interview by reflecting on DeSalvo’s optimism for technology’s role in transforming healthcare. He predicts that the integration of AI, multimodal data and cloud systems will empower patients, improve health equity, and alleviate the burdens on clinicians, ultimately leading to better outcomes and a more effective healthcare system.

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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