In recent months, I’ve had the opportunity to speak about the potential of AI at a variety of organizations and events. Along with the excitement around this emerging technology, I’ve seen some common concerns. Across sectors and industries, I’ve seen an inherited mistrust of AI. Some organizations continue to think it doesn’t apply to them – or worse, they’re putting their heads in the sand because they don’t understand it.
But the truth is that the trendlines are clear and AI is here to stay. The International Data Corporation (IDC) recently projected the global AI market will reach $512 billion by 2027 – more than double its market share in 2021.
We’re living in boom times and the organizations that resist AI will be left behind, even if some of the use cases today leave something to be desired. Logitech introduced a mouse with a dedicated “AI button,” essentially allowing users to generate AI prompts much faster. In the fast food sector, McDonald’s made headlines when it walked back a partnership with IBM to integrate AI into drive-throughs after stories went viral of orders gone hilariously wrong.
As executives grapple with how to use this technology in what are still very early days, it’s understandable and even prudent to consider the risks. But I believe that fortune will ultimately favor the bold – those who lean into the possibilities of the technology, rather than try to turn the clock back. Let’s not merely adapt to the future; let’s shape it.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information on AI and the speed at which advancements are occurring. But AI is already here as a fact of life, so my advice boils down to two words: BE CURIOUS. It’s a much more hopeful message than the message of many critics, which boils down to “Be afraid.”
Adopt a Beginner’s Mindset to Look Past Misconceptions
To truly understand AI, it’s crucial to adopt a beginner mindset. As the mantra goes (usually attributed to Shunryu Suzuki), “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.” There’s a freedom that comes with being open to learning, embracing not knowing everything, and viewing each step as an opportunity for growth. It’s okay to take incremental steps and even fail along the way—each failure is a learning experience. By maintaining a mindset of curiosity, you make AI less intimidating and more accessible.
Part of being curious is thinking critically about some of the common misconceptions heard about AI.
- One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it’s solely about complex algorithms and coding. While machine learning is a significant aspect of AI, it’s not the whole picture. AI encompasses a wide range of technologies, and importantly, it’s created by humans. This means AI can inherit biases from the data it’s trained on—as the saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out.”
- Another common and understandable concern is that AI is coming for our jobs. There’s a concern that relying too much on AI could make healthcare professionals less skilled and less capable of making important, nuanced decisions without the help of technology. Many also worry that AI might take over roles currently held by human healthcare professionals, resulting in less empathy and the loss of personalized care that addresses the emotional and social aspects of health. While AI will undoubtedly change the way we work, it’s more about augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them. (Or as Ben Royce, an AI expert at Google and Columbia University, put it, “Generative AI will probably not take your job. Someone using generative AI might, though.”) AI is a tool that, when used intentionally, can help us perform tasks more efficiently and make more informed decisions.
- Many also fear that AI will largely serve to reflect existing biases in healthcare data, which might lead to unfair treatment recommendations and discrimination against certain patient groups. I believe this (valid) concern is all the more reason for professionals to get involved and engage with groups making decisions on how AI is used in their organizations. Get in now while we’re still in the early days – and help shape how AI is put to work.
- Lastly, AI isn’t a black box mystery. I would think of it more like a recipe—there are ingredients and steps to follow to get the best results. The good news is that, like almost everything that surrounds us outside of the natural world, AI is the work of human beings. Singularity – the point at which robotic intelligence vastly eclipses that of people – is still the stuff of science fiction. I’m of the belief that AI will not get so far ahead of us that we can’t catch up.
The common theme I see in fears around AI is a perception that the field lacks transparency and explainability. This opacity can lead to mistrust and reluctance to adopt AI-based tools. In response, I would stress that AI is no magic wand – it’s something that we still have agency to shape.
I would encourage any colleague to think expansively about how this technology can reshape our work. Think boldly. In Life Sciences, for example, it’s an opportunity to completely rethink each step of the patient experience and create something that is far more pleasant, intuitive, and customer centric. As Bill McDermott, CEO of software giant ServiceNow recently put it, “If you’re a healthcare provider, you’re not thinking about how you make the clipboard process a little smoother. You’re thinking about how to create the Four Seasons, in terms of the patient experience.”
AI is more ubiquitous than we might realize. It’s seamlessly integrated into many aspects of our daily routines. Take your own Netflix queue, for example. The personalized recommendations you see are powered by AI algorithms analyzing your viewing habits. Smartphones use AI to predict text and suggest contacts. Even search engines use AI to tailor results based on individual user behavior. These examples show how AI is already impacting our lives.
Steps to Learn About AI
For those new to AI or looking to deepen their understanding, here are four practical steps:
- Start with the Basics: Build a strong foundation by understanding what AI is and what it isn’t. Recognize its applications and limitations. Resources like Coursera offer free courses, and there are numerous podcasts and articles available to get you started.
- Think About the Topics You Like: AI intersects with many fields. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, finance, entertainment, or any other area, there’s relevant information out there. Starting with your interests makes learning more engaging and relevant.
- Get Hands-On Experience: Experiment with user-friendly AI tools and platforms. If you’re interested, try your hand at basic coding. There are many accessible resources that can help you gain practical experience.
- Stay Up to Date: AI is a rapidly evolving field. Follow AI news, attend webinars, and participate in online communities. Engaging with others in the field helps you stay informed and connected.
Adopting a curiosity mindset is essential in our AI-driven world. This mindset is not just applicable to AI but throughout your career, regardless of the industry. Embracing curiosity helps you navigate changes, find innovative solutions, and ultimately achieve success.
Remember, learning is a journey. The internet offers a wide range of free and low-cost resources for learning more about how to make this technology work for you, from AI courses on LinkedIn Learning to videos on DeepLearning.AI and MOOCs like fast.ai.
Welcome to AI 101—it’s going to be an exciting journey ahead.
About Shweta Maniar
Shweta Maniar is the Global Director of Healthcare & Life Sciences Solutions at Google. She is responsible for the global strategy to support the Life Science industry and leads the charge to transform drug discovery through generative AI, a transformative technology that goes beyond static data, leveraging dynamic modeling to unlock new possibilities in life sciences.