As part of our healthcare client newsletter series, we’re excited to introduce you to Buxton’s AI evangelist and subject matter expert, Gene Schoepp.
If you watched the first episode of our Analytics Unplugged series, you have likely heard about Gene Schoepp’s valuable expertise in the world of artificial intelligence. Gene is no stranger to the industry and has been a long-time leader in the technology space. Find out more about Gene and his expert advice for using with AI in this Q&A interview.
Buxton: Gene, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got to this point in your career?
Gene: I spent over 40 years working in various operational and leadership roles in the IT space. About five years ago, I retired but soon felt the pull of artificial intelligence. My first addiction to AI came through ChatGPT. Diving into AI felt like a natural progression for me; I focused on educating myself and others on the practical applications and potential of AI.
Buxton: That’s an incredible journey! What advice would you give to our healthcare clients who are early in their journey?
Gene: The first step is to identify clear objectives. Understand what specific problems you want to solve with AI. For example, in marketing, AI can help personalize patient outreach and improve engagement. In real estate and strategic planning, AI can assist with analyzing demographic, geographic, and other data to find the best locations for new facilities. For health systems, integrating AI can optimize many operational and administative processes. As always, data management is important as AI thrives on clean, well-organized data. Begin with pilot projects in areas like patient scheduling or predictive maintenance for medical equipment. These projects can demonstrate AI's value and help build support within the organization.
Buxton: What are some practical steps to ensure these AI initiatives are successful?
Gene: Success with AI starts with collaboration. Engage stakeholders from various departments early on to understand their needs and concerns. Investing in training is also critical. Ensure your team has the necessary skills to work with AI technologies. Additionally, consider partnering with AI vendors who have experience in healthcare to help navigate initial challenges.
Buxton: How important is it for healthcare organizations to focus on ethical AI?
Gene: It’s incredibly important. Healthcare data is sensitive, and ethical considerations are paramount. Organizations must ensure that AI systems are transparent and decisions are explainable. This builds trust with patients and complies with regulatory standards. Avoiding bias is also crucial. Bias can be mitigated through diverse training data and continuous monitoring. Use datasets that reflect the population you're serving and implement checks and balances to regularly review AI outputs for bias. Incorporating feedback loops where your team can flag and correct biased outputs is essential.
Buxton: Gene, this has been incredibly informative. Any final thoughts for those looking to dive into AI in healthcare?
Gene: Embrace a learning mindset. AI is a rapidly evolving field, and staying updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Start small, show results, and scale up gradually. And most importantly, always keep ethical considerations at the forefront to ensure that AI serves the best interests of patients and the community.
Buxton: Thank you, Gene, for sharing your expertise with us today. We know that integrating AI into healthcare can seem daunting, but with the right approach and considerations, it can lead to transformative results.
To learn more on this topic, check out our blog, “Building Customer Trust in the Age of AI.”
