MRIs and CT scans
Elon Musk asked people to upload their medical data to X so his AI company could learn to interpret MRIs and CT scansIn Elon Musk's vision, AI is taking on a critical role in healthcare. He has encouraged users to upload medical data, such as CT scans and bone images, to the platform so Grok, X's AI chatbot, can learn to analyze them. Musk has claimed that while this is still in its early stages, Grok’s ability to interpret medical data is already quite accurate and will improve over time. Some users reported that Grok successfully identified breast cancer from blood tests, but others noted significant errors, like misinterpreting tuberculosis as a spinal issue or confusing a benign breast cyst with testicles.
Musk's interest in healthcare and AI spans beyond X, with Neuralink, his brain-chip venture, aiming to create new healthcare possibilities. His other company, xAI, is responsible for Grok and recently raised significant investment funds to develop healthcare technologies. However, it remains uncertain how Grok will evolve to meet medical needs.
Experts caution that while AI holds potential in healthcare, Musk's approach presents challenges. The reliance on social media for data input raises concerns about both accuracy and privacy. Ryan Tarzy, CEO of Avandra Imaging, pointed out that the method of gathering data directly from users could hinder Grok's development, as the data sample may not represent a diverse medical landscape. Additionally, medical data shared on social media is not protected by HIPAA, which means personal health information could be exposed or misused. Privacy risks are a concern, as information like CT scans often include identifiable details, and sharing this on X could inadvertently violate user privacy.
Medical ethics experts also warn about the potential dangers of users sharing sensitive health data, especially without clear protections in place. While X may have its own privacy measures, the full extent of those protections remains unclear, leaving users to share their medical information at their own risk.