A team of researchers from the University of Cincinnati has developed a powerful new tool in artificial intelligence (AI) that can predict an individual's likelihood of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. This tool uses a small set of data from demographics and personal judgments to identify patterns in human behavior that may explain vaccine hesitancy. The researchers believe that their findings could have broad applications for predicting mental health and improving public health campaigns.
Despite COVID-19 vaccine mandates, many individuals still choose to forgo vaccination, leading to questions about the psychology underlying these choices. The researchers suggest that targeting varying judgment profiles through vaccine education and messaging could improve vaccine uptake.
However, critics argue that this new technology implies that those who question vaccines have mental health problems. Brian Hooker, Ph.D., chief scientific officer for Children's Health Defense, believes that it is a substitute for rational discussions about science and medicine that might expose the truth about vaccine adverse events.
The lead author of the study, Nicole Vike, Ph.D., states that having a new form of AI for prediction in public health provides a valuable tool for preparing hospitals and predicting vaccination rates and infection rates. The technology could also aid in vaccine rollouts by identifying geographic areas with low vaccination rates and high hospitalization rates.
Critics express concerns about the potential adverse uses of this technology, such as targeting and re-educating vaccine-hesitant individuals. They argue that vaccine hesitancy should be addressed by considering the efficacy and safety of the vaccine rather than focusing solely on the psychology of the subjects. Privacy concerns are also raised, as the technology could potentially be abused by governments.
The study's claims about the effectiveness of the AI technology are also questioned. Critics argue that AI is only as good as the programmer and the biases with which it was created. They highlight the importance of considering individual concerns and experiences rather than relying solely on population-wide approaches.
The development of this AI tool was based on a survey conducted in the U.S., involving a representative sample of adults. The respondents' demographics, attitudes toward COVID-19 precautions, and judgment variables were compared between those who were vaccinated and those who were not. The researchers identified a small set of demographic variables and judgment variables that predict vaccine uptake with moderate to high accuracy.
The University of Cincinnati's announcement emphasizes that the new AI tool can make accurate predictions about human attitudes with surprisingly little data. However, critics argue that a high level of accuracy would require a high level of understanding of vaccine hesitancy itself.
Other AI-related technologies in the healthcare realm have also been introduced. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla praises the role of AI in the rapid development of Paxlovid, a prescription oral medication for COVID-19. He believes that AI can significantly reduce the time needed for drug discovery and save lives.
Concerns about AI's predictive ability have led to some action from lawmakers around the world. The European Parliament has passed the Artificial Intelligence Act, which contains restrictions and prohibitions on the use of AI in various contexts.
