Google’s medical AI chatbot, known as Med-PaLM 2, has entered the testing phase in hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic research hospital. The AI tool is designed to provide answers to medical questions and has been in development since April. Med-PaLM 2 is an enhanced version of PaLM 2, which was introduced at the Google I/O conference earlier this year and serves as the underlying language model for Google’s Bard system.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), an internal email from Google states that the updated AI model could be particularly beneficial in countries with limited access to healthcare professionals. Med-PaLM 2 has been trained using a curated collection of expert medical demonstrations, which Google believes will make it more effective in healthcare conversations compared to general chatbots like Bard, Bing, and ChatGPT.
However, WSJ reports that a study conducted by Google in May revealed that Med-PaLM 2 still suffers from accuracy issues commonly observed in large language models. Physicians found more inaccuracies and irrelevant information in the responses generated by Med-PaLM 2 compared to those provided by human doctors.
Despite these challenges, Med-PaLM 2 demonstrated similar performance to doctors in various areas, including evidence of reasoning, consensus-supported answers, and correct comprehension. WSJ also mentioned that customers participating in the Med-PaLM 2 testing will have control over their encrypted data, ensuring that Google cannot access it.
Greg Corrado, a senior research director at Google, stated that Med-PaLM 2 is still in the early stages of development. While he wouldn’t personally rely on it for his family’s healthcare journey, he believes the AI system has the potential to greatly enhance healthcare where AI can be beneficial.
Further information from Google and the Mayo Clinic is being sought for more details on the project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is Med-PaLM 2?
Med-PaLM 2 is an AI-based medical chatbot developed by Google. It is designed to provide answers to medical questions and is currently being tested in hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic research hospital.
How long has Med-PaLM 2 been in development?
Med-PaLM 2 has been in development since April of this year.
How does Med-PaLM 2 differ from the previous version, PaLM 2?
Med-PaLM 2 is an enhanced version of PaLM 2, serving as the underlying language model for Google's Bard system. It has been trained using a curated collection of expert medical demonstrations, which Google believes will make it more effective in healthcare conversations compared to general chatbots.
What are some potential benefits of Med-PaLM 2?
According to an internal email from Google, Med-PaLM 2 could be particularly beneficial in countries with limited access to healthcare professionals. It aims to provide accurate medical information and assistance.
What challenges has Med-PaLM 2 faced so far?
A study conducted by Google in May revealed that Med-PaLM 2 still suffers from accuracy issues commonly observed in large language models. Physicians found more inaccuracies and irrelevant information in the responses generated by Med-PaLM 2 compared to those provided by human doctors.
How does Med-PaLM 2 perform compared to human doctors?
Despite its challenges, Med-PaLM 2 has demonstrated similar performance to doctors in areas such as evidence of reasoning, consensus-supported answers, and correct comprehension. However, it still has room for improvement.
Is user data secured when using Med-PaLM 2?
Yes, according to reports, customers participating in Med-PaLM 2 testing will have control over their encrypted data, ensuring that Google cannot access it.
What are Google's future plans for Med-PaLM 2?
According to Greg Corrado, a senior research director at Google, Med-PaLM 2 is still in the early stages of development. While he personally wouldn't rely on it for his family's healthcare, he believes the AI system has the potential to greatly enhance healthcare where AI can be beneficial.
Are there any further details available about the Med-PaLM 2 project?
Further information from Google and the Mayo Clinic is being sought for more details on the project, providing a better understanding of its progress and future plans.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
