In the realm of healthcare, artificial intelligence is transforming the way we quantify pain, a vital sign traditionally seen as subjective. Researchers globally are striving to create objective measures of pain that can be as reliable as blood pressure readings. A prominent example is PainChek, a smartphone application that analyzes facial expressions for subtle muscle movements to derive a pain score. This innovative tool has received regulatory approval across three continents and has already facilitated over a million pain assessments. As more startups venture into this domain, the question arises: will the ability to measure pain through algorithms reshape our treatment methodologies?
On another front, the rise of conspiracy theories during the pandemic has left many grappling with how to engage with individuals who have adopted these beliefs. For those with friends or family members who have seemingly succumbed to conspiracy thinking, the challenge is daunting. Niall Firth, a science and technology journalist, recounted his own experience attempting to converse with a conspiracy theorist within his circle. To gain insights, he consulted Sander van der Linden, a professor of social psychology at the University of Cambridge. Van der Linden offered strategies for effectively communicating with those entrenched in conspiracy theories, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in these discussions. This issue of addressing misinformation is part of a broader series by MIT Technology Review, exploring how conspiracy theories are reshaping science and technology. For those interested in delving deeper, MIT Technology Review is hosting a subscriber-exclusive roundtable discussion featuring experts on navigating the complexities of conspiracy theories in today’s society.
Source: The Download: AI to measure pain, and how to deal with conspiracy theorists via MIT Technology Review