AI can diagnose, but it can’t care: Preserving the heart of medicine

In 1847, Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis made a groundbreaking discovery: handwashing drastically reduced the spread of infections in hospitals. Yet despite the clear evidence, his ideas were dismissed by colleagues, who resisted changing long-held practices. Semmelweis’s story serves as a poignant reminder that medicine is not just about the right answers—it’s about earning trust, bridging communication gaps, and understanding human behavior.

Fast forward to today, and we stand at another transformative moment in healthcare. This time, the disruptor is artificial intelligence (AI). A recent study revealed that large language models (LLMs), advanced AI systems designed to process and analyze information, outperform 90% of doctors in diagnostic accuracy. The findings are both exciting and unsettling, raising an urgent question: if machines are more precise, do we still need human doctors?

The answer lies not in technology’s capabilities but in its limitations. Just as Semmelweis needed human champions to translate his insight into practice, today’s patients need more than machines to feel cared for, respected, and heard. AI may excel at diagnostics, but it cannot replace the humanity at the heart of medicine.

The rise of AI in healthcare

There’s no denying the incredible potential of AI in healthcare. From analyzing millions of patient records to identifying subtle patterns invisible to human eyes, AI systems have revolutionized diagnostics. Algorithms like MedPaLM-2 and GPT-4 can suggest treatment plans for rare diseases, predict outcomes with remarkable accuracy, and integrate complex datasets to personalize care.

These advancements are no longer confined to research labs. Hospitals around the world are deploying AI to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve patient outcomes. In many ways, this technology feels like the answer to healthcare’s perennial challenges: overburdened systems, physician shortages, and rising costs.

But for all its promise, AI is fundamentally constrained by its nature. It operates on data—what it has been trained to see and recognize. It cannot intuit the unspoken, discern the emotional undertones of a conversation, or engage in the moral reasoning required in complex clinical decisions.

What AI misses in patient care

Consider the case of a young woman with recurring stomach pain. An AI system might flag gastritis or peptic ulcer disease based on her symptoms and lab results. A human doctor, however, might notice her nervous fidgeting and gentle evasions, prompting a deeper conversation that uncovers an abusive relationship contributing to chronic stress.

This is not a hypothetical distinction—it’s the reality of medical practice. Symptoms rarely exist in isolation. They are tied to the intricacies of patients’ lives, shaped by their fears, beliefs, and unique circumstances. Machines, no matter how advanced, lack the ability to perceive and respond to these nuances.

Moreover, patient care often hinges on trust. Studies consistently show that patients who feel their doctors genuinely listen and empathize with them are more likely to follow treatment plans and report better outcomes. Can an algorithm, however accurate, inspire the same level of trust as a doctor who takes the time to connect on a human level?

The historical lessons we ignore at our peril

Medicine’s history is replete with examples of technologies that revolutionized care but also required human interpretation and adaptation. Consider the advent of antibiotics. While they transformed infectious disease treatment, misuse and over-reliance created unforeseen challenges like antibiotic resistance—a crisis that demands not just technical fixes but a deeper understanding of human behavior and public health dynamics.

AI is no different. Its power is undeniable, but its misuse—whether through over-reliance or poor integration into care—could exacerbate existing inequities and erode the patient-doctor relationship. Without human oversight, algorithms could misinterpret cultural contexts, amplify biases in the data they are trained on, or fail to account for the complexities of end-of-life care.

A future of synergy, not substitution

Rather than framing the future as a battle between humans and machines, we should see it as an opportunity for synergy. AI can and should complement, not replace, human doctors.

Imagine a scenario where an AI system rapidly analyzes a patient’s medical history, flags potential diagnoses, and suggests evidence-based treatment options. The doctor, armed with this information, can focus on the patient—asking questions, addressing fears, and tailoring care to their unique needs.

This partnership could free up time for physicians to do what only they can: connect, empathize, and guide. Instead of spending hours poring over charts, doctors could engage in meaningful conversations, advocate for vulnerable patients, and make decisions informed by both data and compassion.

Preserving the humanity of medicine

As we integrate AI into healthcare, we must resist the temptation to prioritize efficiency over humanity. Policymakers, educators, and healthcare leaders play a critical role in shaping this balance.

For medical students, training should emphasize not only how to work with AI but also the skills that machines cannot replicate: cultural competence, ethical reasoning, and emotional intelligence. These “soft skills” are not optional—they are foundational to good care.

For healthcare systems, the goal should be to use AI as a tool, not a crutch. Patients must always have access to human doctors who can interpret AI insights in the context of their personal stories and values.

Beyond the numbers

The conversation about AI in medicine often centers on metrics: accuracy rates, cost savings, and efficiency gains. But medicine is not just a numbers game. It is a profoundly human endeavor, shaped by trust, empathy, and moral responsibility.

This is why, despite the undeniable brilliance of AI, the role of doctors will remain irreplaceable. When a family receives devastating news, they need more than clinical precision; they need compassion. When a patient hesitates over a life-altering decision, they need more than data; they need guidance.

Ignaz Semmelweis’s struggle to implement handwashing reminds us that even the most groundbreaking innovations require human understanding to succeed. AI may be poised to revolutionize medicine, but it cannot shoulder the burden of care alone.

The future of healthcare lies not in choosing between humans and machines but in creating a partnership that honors the best of both. And in that partnership, the soul of medicine—its humanity—must always take the lead.

Only then can we ensure that in our pursuit of progress, we do not lose sight of what truly matters: the people we serve.