There is no doubt that generative AI is a disruptive technology that will continue to have impacts in the coming years if not decades. Representing one-fifth of the American economy, healthcare is one area where AI has perhaps the most promise to do good. Since much of healthcare runs on textual material, generative AI’s ability to process material and respond appropriately brings a huge “wow” factor. UCSF clinician and informaticist Robert Wachter brings those ideas to light and to critical scrutiny as he helps us see pathways to our future.
Of course, any disruptive change has the potential to cause problems, and AI fits in that bucket. Wachter identifies areas that we must watch out for – like whether monopolies will stifle innovation or whether human reviewers (so-called humans in the loop) will do their job adequately without succumbing to fatigue. He carefully identifies many areas where we much give close attention.
Not an absolute critic of the technology, he sees that moving too slowly poses a greater risk than moving too quickly. AI presents opportunities that must be seized to benefit patient care in the nearer term. Only scoffing at the risks will likely cost lives in the long run and even in the short run. In discussing possible job losses in healthcare, he emphasizes that healthcare, above all, is about patient health, not a nice-paying job. That has to remain our north star.
Many audiences will be attracted to this book. Anyone interested in AI’s future in clinical medicine (which should be just about everyone in the clinical enterprise) can benefit from the practical opportunities Wachter identifies. Software pioneers can learn about where to direct their development efforts so as to receive a better reception in the healthcare industry. Institutional leaders can learn about new, innovative companies, like Hippocratic AI, and how they are positioning themselves in this new era. This work covers a supremely interesting issue and covers it well enough so that every angle is examined. Although many AI books will come and go with the excitement of the field, this one has real staying potential for a long time to come.
A Giant Leap: How AI is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future
By Robert Wachter
Text copyright (c) 2026
Portfolio
Audio copyright (c) 2026
Penguin Audio
ASIN B0FBHK3592
Length: 9:11
Genre: Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare
www.amazon.com