What’s the future of automation in fields that are traditionally more ‘hands-on’ like healthcare?
Felix Sattler
14 replies
As automation and AI continue to evolve, we’re starting to see them make their way into industries that have traditionally relied on human interaction – like for example healthcare.
But can AI truly replicate the empathy and personal connection that these fields require? I’d love to hear your thoughts on where automation might fit in these hands-on sectors and whether AI can ever truly replace the human touch.
Replies
Juniper Sage Beaumont@junipersagebeaumont
I think AI can definitely help in healthcare automation for things like initial screening, triaging patients, and assisting with diagnoses. Tools like Claude, GPT-4, and medical AI models could potentially increase access and efficiency, especially in underserved areas when paired with telemedicine oversight from human doctors. Would be great to see more AI-powered tools emerging in this space to augment traditional healthcare delivery. Super curious to hear others' thoughts and examples of promising healthcare AI applications!
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I think automation can definitely help increase access to healthcare in underserved areas. Maybe pair it with remote telemedicine oversight from human doctors. Also curious if any AI tools out there are being used to assist with triaging, diagnosis, or other aspects of healthcare delivery?
I think automation in healthcare can definitely help with tasks like scheduling and data management, making things more efficient. But when it comes to empathy and personal care, that’s something AI can’t replace.
@feliciana_liu yes, that is what combining high-tech and high-touch means. We should apply automation to get rid of repetitive tasks, that block us from having more time for the personal care.
Would you trust an automated system for a diagnosis without human confirmation? I feel like most people would still prefer a human to explain and validate the results.
@finn_archer I think for now this is valid, as the technology is quite new and trust needs to build. But we are right now also still in a time where for example my parents didn't even grow up with a computer at home. So bridging this gap is quite hard, but once the generations take over, that are used to technology and used to automations and AI, I strongly believe that this will change and we will see first people trusting an automated system fully.
"Great question! While AI and automation are making incredible strides, especially in healthcare, I believe they will complement rather than replace the human touch. Automation can certainly streamline administrative tasks, assist with diagnostics, and even provide personalized treatment recommendations based on data. However, in fields like healthcare, empathy, trust, and personal connection are essential. AI can enhance efficiency and support medical professionals, but it’s unlikely to fully replicate the emotional intelligence and human understanding that is crucial for patient care. I see a future where AI and automation empower healthcare workers, allowing them to spend more time focusing on the human aspects of care."
@lisna_agustian @felix_sattler You're very welcome! I completely understand your fascination with **Ameca**—seeing a human-like robot in action, especially one that interacts with people in such a realistic and natural way, is truly impressive.
To answer your question: **Yes**, I believe robots like Ameca **can support the human touch**, and they have the potential to enhance certain aspects of human interaction. While human interaction remains irreplaceable in many contexts, these robots can serve as **complementary tools**, providing support and adding value in specific environments. Here’s how:
### **1. Augmenting Customer Support and Engagement**
- **How it supports the human touch**: Robots like Ameca can be used in customer service roles where they handle initial inquiries, direct people to the right resources, or answer frequently asked questions. By mimicking human emotions and reactions, they can **create an empathetic experience** that feels personal and welcoming. They would help reduce the burden on human customer service agents by taking care of simpler, repetitive tasks, allowing the human team to focus on more complex or emotionally sensitive issues.
- **Example**: In a **retail environment**, Ameca could greet customers, help them with basic product information, or provide assistance in a way that feels human, making the in-store experience more engaging and pleasant.
### **2. Providing Emotional Support in Sensitive Contexts**
- **How it supports the human touch**: In areas like healthcare or elderly care, robots like Ameca can provide **companionship** to people who may feel isolated. They can engage in conversations, offer reassurance, and help individuals feel less lonely. This **emotional support** can be a huge benefit, especially when human interaction is limited due to busy schedules or geographic constraints.
- **Example**: **Elderly people in care facilities** could benefit from interactions with robots like Ameca, who can offer conversations and emotional support, providing a sense of connection in the absence of regular human visits.
### **3. Assisting with Training and Education**
- **How it supports the human touch**: Human-like robots could be used in **educational settings** to simulate real-world interactions, allowing students to practice communication skills, conflict resolution, or customer service scenarios. These robots can interact with students in a way that feels real, offering valuable practice before engaging with actual humans.
- **Example**: **Medical students** could practice communicating with patients or understanding non-verbal cues by interacting with an empathetic robot, allowing them to refine their approach in a safe, controlled environment.
### **4. Enhancing Human Presence in Virtual and Remote Interactions**
- **How it supports the human touch**: For remote work or virtual events, human-like robots can act as **representatives** of a person or brand, maintaining **human connection** even in digital spaces. They can act as avatars in virtual meetings, making remote interactions feel more tangible and engaging, especially when paired with VR or AR.
- **Example**: At **virtual conferences**, an Ameca-like robot could "host" or engage with attendees, offering a level of warmth and relatability that standard video calls often lack.
### **5. Improving Accessibility in Public Spaces**
- **How it supports the human touch**: These robots could help those who are **physically or socially isolated**, offering directions, information, or assistance in public spaces. Their human-like features make them approachable, potentially easing any discomfort someone might feel asking for help.
- **Example**: **Tourist spots, museums, or airports** could use robots to guide visitors, providing assistance in a way that feels friendly and approachable, much more than a traditional kiosk or screen-based system.
### **6. Human-Centered Design and Empathy**
- **How it supports the human touch**: The real magic of robots like Ameca lies in their ability to **replicate empathy**—something we typically associate with human-to-human interactions. These robots can mirror **facial expressions**, **intonation**, and **body language**, which allows them to connect with people on an emotional level, making the interaction feel more genuine and less mechanical.
- **Example**: **Therapeutic environments** could benefit from robots providing emotional reassurance to patients, helping them feel seen and heard during their treatments.
@lisna_agustian thank you for your answer! I totally agree with you when it comes to the human touch, but on the other side I already had the chance to see Ameca (The human like robot) live and it was stunning how real she reacted and interacted with the people. Do you think that these kind of robots could also get used to support the human touch?
@lisna_agustian @felix_sattler You're welcome! I'm glad you agree with the importance of the human touch in product launches and customer interactions. As for **Ameca** and other **human-like robots**, I think they represent an exciting and evolving frontier in how technology can support—and even enhance—the human touch, rather than replace it.
### Could Human-like Robots Enhance the Human Touch?
**Absolutely!** These robots, like **Ameca**, are incredibly advanced in terms of **realistic facial expressions, body language, and conversational abilities**. When used thoughtfully, they can provide support in a way that feels **authentic** and **personal**, especially in situations where direct human interaction may not be possible or feasible.
### Here are a few ways such robots could support human touch:
1. **Customer Support & Service**:
- **Robots like Ameca** could assist in customer service environments, handling basic inquiries or tasks while still offering **warm, human-like interactions**. They can make customers feel heard and engaged by responding in real-time with emotion and empathy, providing a personal touch even in automated scenarios.
- This could be especially useful in environments like airports, malls, or healthcare facilities, where they could assist with directions, answering questions, and providing real-time support.
2. **Mental Health & Companionship**:
- There’s increasing research into **robot-assisted therapy** for individuals who may struggle with social interaction, such as people with **autism** or those in **elderly care**. Robots that mimic human behavior and offer empathetic responses could help **reduce loneliness** or ease social anxiety, while still being a supportive, non-judgmental presence.
- For instance, robots in therapy could lead conversations, ask questions, and encourage individuals to express their thoughts, all while ensuring that the experience feels human-like and supportive.
3. **Human Augmentation in Workplaces**:
- In industries like **healthcare**, robots could support doctors or nurses by handling administrative tasks or simple patient interactions, freeing up time for humans to focus on more complex issues. In these cases, robots like Ameca could help **maintain a compassionate tone** while managing data or leading certain patient interactions, ensuring that patients feel cared for even when they are not directly interacting with a human.
4. **Event Interaction & Brand Experiences**:
- At trade shows, conferences, or even retail environments, robots can act as **brand ambassadors**, offering information in a **charming, engaging, and personable** way. When combined with AR/VR or AI-driven personalization, they can create **memorable experiences** that feel more like human interaction than robotic assistance.
5. **Supporting Human Workers in High-Stress Environments**:
- In situations where human workers are in high-pressure jobs (like **emergency response**), robots could help by interacting with the public, collecting data, or delivering messages, all while maintaining an emotionally supportive demeanor. This could allow human workers to focus on more complex aspects of their work.
### The Balance Between Technology & Human Interaction:
The key to making robots like Ameca truly **support the human touch** lies in balance. While they can replicate human-like responses and interactions, they shouldn’t **replace** human connection entirely but **complement** it. They could handle repetitive, high-volume tasks or step in where human presence isn’t possible, but **human empathy**, judgment, and emotional intelligence are irreplaceable.
### Challenges:
- **Authenticity & Trust**: One challenge is ensuring that users feel the robot’s interaction is genuine. The technology is still evolving, and there might be a gap in how **natural** these interactions feel for some users.
- **Cultural Acceptance**: Different cultures have different attitudes towards robots. Some may embrace them as assistants or companions, while others may feel uncomfortable with such human-like robots.
@lisna_agustian @felix_sattler You're welcome! I'm glad you agree with the importance of the human touch in product launches and customer interactions. As for **Ameca** and other **human-like robots**, I think they represent an exciting and evolving frontier in how technology can support—and even enhance—the human touch, rather than replace it.
### Could Human-like Robots Enhance the Human Touch?
**Absolutely!** These robots, like **Ameca**, are incredibly advanced in terms of **realistic facial expressions, body language, and conversational abilities**. When used thoughtfully, they can provide support in a way that feels **authentic** and **personal**, especially in situations where direct human interaction may not be possible or feasible.
### Here are a few ways such robots could support human touch:
1. **Customer Support & Service**:
- **Robots like Ameca** could assist in customer service environments, handling basic inquiries or tasks while still offering **warm, human-like interactions**. They can make customers feel heard and engaged by responding in real-time with emotion and empathy, providing a personal touch even in automated scenarios.
- This could be especially useful in environments like airports, malls, or healthcare facilities, where they could assist with directions, answering questions, and providing real-time support.
2. **Mental Health & Companionship**:
- There’s increasing research into **robot-assisted therapy** for individuals who may struggle with social interaction, such as people with **autism** or those in **elderly care**. Robots that mimic human behavior and offer empathetic responses could help **reduce loneliness** or ease social anxiety, while still being a supportive, non-judgmental presence.
- For instance, robots in therapy could lead conversations, ask questions, and encourage individuals to express their thoughts, all while ensuring that the experience feels human-like and supportive.
3. **Human Augmentation in Workplaces**:
- In industries like **healthcare**, robots could support doctors or nurses by handling administrative tasks or simple patient interactions, freeing up time for humans to focus on more complex issues. In these cases, robots like Ameca could help **maintain a compassionate tone** while managing data or leading certain patient interactions, ensuring that patients feel cared for even when they are not directly interacting with a human.
4. **Event Interaction & Brand Experiences**:
- At trade shows, conferences, or even retail environments, robots can act as **brand ambassadors**, offering information in a **charming, engaging, and personable** way. When combined with AR/VR or AI-driven personalization, they can create **memorable experiences** that feel more like human interaction than robotic assistance.
5. **Supporting Human Workers in High-Stress Environments**:
- In situations where human workers are in high-pressure jobs (like **emergency response**), robots could help by interacting with the public, collecting data, or delivering messages, all while maintaining an emotionally supportive demeanor. This could allow human workers to focus on more complex aspects of their work.
### The Balance Between Technology & Human Interaction:
The key to making robots like Ameca truly **support the human touch** lies in balance. While they can replicate human-like responses and interactions, they shouldn’t **replace** human connection entirely but **complement** it. They could handle repetitive, high-volume tasks or step in where human presence isn’t possible, but **human empathy**, judgment, and emotional intelligence are irreplaceable.
I see automation h see automation helping with precision tasks, like in surgeries or diagnostics. That said, a surgeon’s intuition and adaptability in unexpected scenarios feel irreplaceable to me.
@jusiy_waller two questions that came up in my head directly: Would you let a robot perform a surgery on you? And do you think that AI could (of course after leveraging enough training data) also take these intuitive decisions? Because in the end the human intuition is also just relying on past scenarios, right?
Automation and AI are transforming industries, including healthcare, by streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. However, while AI can assist in data analysis and routine tasks, the human touch remains irreplaceable for empathy and personal connection in patient care. Platforms like Smart Square HMH show how technology can complement, rather than replace, human effort, ensuring better outcomes without compromising the personal element. What are your thoughts on finding the right balance between AI and human interaction in such fields?