Artificial Intelligence Tools Used by Texas Medical Students to Counsel Patients on Pregnancy and Abortion Options
A group of medical students at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston has developed a simulation of a pregnant patient, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), to help them navigate the complexities of pregnancy and abortion. The tool allows users to engage in all-options pregnancy counseling in Texas while avoiding the potential consequences of the state’s abortion restrictions.
The AI-powered simulation is part of a broader effort to address the significant gaps in the US healthcare system, particularly in the area of maternal health. According to Anu Sharma, CEO and founder of a tech-enabled maternity care company called Millie, the tool can provide much-needed innovation and help.
Sharma noted that 20 to 30 percent of pregnancies result in miscarriage or loss, with 80% of these complications occurring within the first trimester. She stressed that abortions are not always elective and believes it is fair to look at these tools more holistically as a kind of care for people experiencing loss, regardless of the underlying reasons.
The Texas AI tools have been tested on a group of medical students, with 65% of them reporting feeling more comfortable counseling and better prepared to work with real people. However, some students felt that the AI model failed to accurately simulate the emotional responses of human patients.
The tool is now being evaluated for its potential to be incorporated into school curricula, including other “sensitive or restricted topics.” Sharma hopes that AI-augmented practices can tackle issues in healthcare, particularly in areas where there are significant OBGYN shortages and rising malpractice costs.
The development of AI tools for pregnancy counseling has raised concerns about bias and the potential for data to be used to monitor and control women’s bodies. A recent research paper published in the McGill Law Journal highlighted the potential for AI to monitor the privacy of women seeking abortions and “exert strong control over their bodies.”
Despite these concerns, Sharma remains optimistic about the potential of AI to improve healthcare, particularly in areas where there are significant gaps in service provision. She notes that AI can help create personalized approaches to patient care, provide a continuous stream of data to present a picture of “evolving risks” during pregnancy, and take some of the burden off frontline workers. However, she emphasizes that AI systems need to be trained appropriately and on the correct data to avoid biases, and that industries need to ensure workers aren’t expected to take on a higher quantity of cases because of AI-assistance.