This article is the second of a three-part series on the challenges and opportunities associated with using artificial intelligence (AI).

Last month, I offered a few considerations regarding the regulation of AI. In the absence of regulation, a codified structure, or a metric of AI use, I wanted to document my experiences of experimenting with AI tools in this space. In particular, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone by using OpenAI’s ChatGPT to mitigate my writer’s block when writing about behavioral science.

In this issue, I will discuss what individuals and groups are doing to mitigate risks (e.g., bias, possibility of inaccurate information, privacy concerns, etc.), and where I think our focus should be as we attempt to cope with a new era where AI will affect more people in more powerful ways over time.

Why you should read this article

While the European Union (EU) and the United States work towards outlining legal principles of AI use (e.g. the EU AI Act and the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, President Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence), people are still grappling with the ethical problems of using AI, such as concerns about how to attribute credit to ideas formed when using ChatGPT.

I sought ChatGPT’s help in writing a brief (100-word) essay on vaccines. I wanted to understand, broadly, how vaccines operate, their risks and benefits, and any biases that might exist about how people interpret scientific information about vaccines.

ChatGPT Dialogue

KK 👩‍💻

Explain what a vaccine is in layman’s terms and scientific terms.

ChatGPT 🤖

Sure! I'll explain what a vaccine is both in layman's terms and in more scientific terms.

Layman's Terms: A vaccine is like a training program for your immune system. It's a substance that helps your body learn how to fight off specific diseases. When you get a vaccine, it contains a small, harmless part of the germ (like a virus or bacteria) that causes the disease. Your immune system then recognizes this part as a threat and learns how to attack it. So, if you ever come into contact with the real germ in the future, your immune system is already prepared to defend your body, making it much less likely that you'll get sick.

Scientific Terms: A vaccine is a biological product that contains a weakened or inactivated form of a pathogen (such as a virus or bacteria) or a piece of that pathogen (like a protein or genetic material). When administered to a person, a vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce an immune response without causing the disease itself. This response typically includes the production of antibodies, specialized immune cells, and immune memory.

The immune memory is crucial because it allows the immune system to "remember" the pathogen and recognize it quickly if the person is exposed to the actual disease in the future. This means that the person's immune system can mount a rapid and effective defense, preventing or reducing the severity of the illness.

In essence, vaccines harness the body's natural ability to develop immunity and provide a protective shield against specific infectious diseases.

KK 👩‍💻

What are the pros and cons to vaccines? List so in a table.

ChatGPT 🤖

Certainly! Here's a table outlining some of the common pros and cons associated with vaccines:

Pros of VaccinesCons of Vaccines1. Disease Prevention1. Mild Side Effects2. Effective2. Rare Severe Reactions3. Herd Immunity3. Misconceptions & Myths4. Public Health Benefit4. Vaccine Hesitancy5. Saves Lives5. Supply and Access Issues6. Lowers Healthcare Costs6. Ethical Concerns

Let's briefly explain each of these points:

Pros of Vaccines:

1. Disease Prevention: Vaccines are highly effective at preventing various infectious diseases.
2. Effective: Vaccines have been instrumental in eradicating or controlling many deadly diseases.
3. Herd Immunity: Vaccination of a significant portion of the population can protect even those who can't be vaccinated, such as individuals with certain medical conditions.
4. Public Health Benefit: Vaccination programs have led to improved public health and reduced disease burden.
5. Saves Lives: Vaccines have saved countless lives by preventing serious illnesses and complications.
6. Lowers Healthcare Costs: By preventing diseases, vaccines reduce the economic burden on healthcare systems.

Cons of Vaccines:

1. Mild Side Effects: Some vaccines may cause mild side effects like soreness at the injection site, fever, or fatigue.
2. Rare Severe Reactions: Extremely rare severe allergic reactions or adverse events can occur, but they are exceptionally uncommon.
3. Misconceptions & Myths: Misinformation and myths about vaccines can lead to vaccine hesitancy and decreased vaccination rates.
4. Vaccine Hesitancy: Some individuals and communities may be reluctant to get vaccinated due to various concerns or beliefs.
5. Supply and Access Issues: Ensuring equitable access to vaccines can be challenging, particularly in lower-income regions.
6. Ethical Concerns: Ethical dilemmas may arise in certain situations, such as the allocation of limited vaccine supplies during outbreaks.

It's important to note that the overwhelming consensus among healthcare professionals and scientific experts is that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks, and vaccines have played a pivotal role in public health worldwide.

KK 👩‍💻

Who or what groups would have the greatest bias for, and against, vaccines?

ChatGPT 🤖

Bias for and against vaccines can be influenced by various factors, including personal beliefs, cultural influences, and professional affiliations. Here are some groups or factors that might exhibit the greatest bias for or against vaccines:

Groups or Factors with Bias FOR Vaccines:

1. Medical Professionals: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers generally advocate for vaccination due to their firsthand experience with the benefits of vaccines and their commitment to public health.
2. Public Health Authorities: Government health agencies, such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization), strongly support vaccination programs and guidelines to prevent the spread of diseases.
3. Scientific Community: Researchers and scientists who study vaccines and infectious diseases overwhelmingly support vaccination based on scientific evidence.
4. Vaccine Manufacturers: Vaccine manufacturers have a vested interest in vaccine promotion, but they are also subject to rigorous safety and efficacy regulations.
5. Parents of Immunocompromised Children: Parents of children with weakened immune systems rely on herd immunity and often advocate for vaccination to protect their vulnerable children.
6. Survivors of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Individuals who have experienced the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases may actively promote vaccination to prevent others from suffering the same fate.

Groups or Factors with Bias AGAINST Vaccines:

1. Anti-Vaccine Activists: Some individuals or groups vehemently oppose vaccines, often fueled by conspiracy theories, misinformation, or distrust of pharmaceutical companies.
2. Religious or Philosophical Beliefs: Some religious or philosophical groups have objections to certain vaccines on moral or ethical grounds, leading to bias against vaccination.
3. Vaccine-Injured Individuals: People who believe they or their loved ones have experienced adverse effects from vaccines may have a strong bias against vaccination.
4. Alternative Medicine Practitioners: Some practitioners of alternative or complementary medicine may discourage vaccines in favor of alternative health practices.
5. Social Media and Online Communities: Online platforms can amplify anti-vaccine sentiments and foster echo chambers where misinformation spreads easily.
6. Fear of Side Effects: Concerns about vaccine side effects, even if statistically rare, can lead to bias against vaccines, especially among those who prioritize personal choice and autonomy.

It's important to recognize that the majority of medical professionals, public health experts, and scientists strongly support vaccination because of the overwhelming evidence of their safety and effectiveness in preventing diseases. Vaccine hesitancy or opposition tends to be a minority view, but it can have significant public health consequences when it leads to lower vaccination rates and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

KK 👩‍💻

What is your opinion on vaccines?

ChatGPT 🤖

I don't have personal opinions or beliefs as I am just a computer program created by OpenAI. However, I can provide you with information and facts based on scientific consensus and established knowledge.

The scientific consensus and overwhelming evidence support the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in preventing serious infectious diseases and saving lives. Vaccines have played a pivotal role in public health by significantly reducing the incidence of many deadly diseases and eradicating some, such as smallpox. They are a crucial tool in preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Vaccination is a cornerstone of modern medicine, and it is endorsed and recommended by leading health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others.

It's important for individuals to make informed decisions about vaccines based on accurate information, consult with healthcare professionals, and consider the broader public health implications of their choices. Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation can pose risks to both individual and community health, so promoting vaccine education and access to vaccines remains a critical public health goal.

KK 👩‍💻

Write a 100-word blurb on what we just discussed.

ChatGPT 🤖

Vaccines are universally recognized by the scientific and medical communities as safe and highly effective tools for preventing infectious diseases. They have played a vital role in reducing the prevalence of deadly illnesses and saving countless lives. However, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation persist in some groups, fueled by various factors, including personal beliefs and misinformation. It's crucial to rely on evidence-based information, consult healthcare professionals, and consider the broader public health impact of vaccine decisions. Vaccination is an essential pillar of modern medicine, endorsed by leading health organizations worldwide, and its widespread adoption is critical to maintaining the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

KK 👩‍💻

How will AI regulation potentially impact these responses?

ChatGPT 🤖

AI regulation can potentially impact responses in several ways, particularly in the context of discussing vaccines and other healthcare-related topics:

1. Accuracy and Reliability: AI systems like mine are expected to provide accurate and reliable information. Regulations may require AI developers to ensure that the information presented is based on credible sources and follows established guidelines. This can help mitigate the spread of misinformation and promote evidence-based discussions on vaccines.
2. Transparency and Accountability: Regulations may require AI systems to be transparent about their sources of information and the algorithms used to generate responses. This can help users understand the basis of the information provided and hold AI developers accountable for the content.
3. Bias and Fairness: AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate bias in responses. Regulations may mandate that AI developers address and mitigate biases, especially in sensitive topics like vaccines, to ensure fairness and avoid reinforcing existing misconceptions or prejudices.
4. Privacy and Consent: In healthcare discussions, privacy is paramount. Regulations may require AI systems to handle user data securely, obtain proper consent for data usage, and adhere to data protection laws to maintain user trust.
5. Quality Control: Regulatory frameworks might establish quality control measures for AI systems, especially when it comes to healthcare information. AI developers may need to undergo certification processes to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of their systems in healthcare-related contexts.
6. Monitoring and Reporting: Regulations may require AI developers to implement monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track the impact of AI-generated content on public health discussions. This can help identify and address issues promptly.
7. Collaboration with Experts: Regulations may encourage or require AI developers to collaborate with healthcare professionals and experts in vaccine science to ensure that responses align with current medical knowledge and guidelines.
8. Public Education: Regulatory bodies may promote public education and awareness campaigns to inform users about the capabilities and limitations of AI systems in healthcare discussions, fostering informed decision-making.

Overall, AI regulation in healthcare-related contexts aims to strike a balance between leveraging AI's potential to disseminate accurate information and mitigating its potential risks, such as the spread of misinformation or biased content. These regulations can contribute to more responsible and beneficial use of AI in discussions related to vaccines and public health.

KK’s ChatGPT-informed, 100-word synopsis on vaccines:

Vaccines are prophylactic medical products intended to prevent infectious disease. Medical professionals, public health authorities and vaccine manufacturers report scientific evidence of the safety and efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease. However, many groups are skeptical of vaccines due to a lack of trust in the medical establishment, disinformation online, and vaccines’ rare yet negative side effects. By-and-large, however, the evidence supporting vaccines outweighs the potential negatives, especially when considering the possibility of widespread harm that could occur if they were not used, especially in children, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.

Reflections on the Experiment

This was an interesting exercise on the importance of prompt engineering. I would probably turn to ChatGPT if I wanted to clarify or understand a topic I didn’t know very well, but I would do so with a clear expectation that the responses I would receive would be constrained by 1- how I constructed my prompts and how ChatGPT is programmed to respond to these types of queries and 2- ChatGPT’s finite fund of information regarding a specific area. Despite these constraints, the responses I obtained were a relatively accurate reflection of the different vantage points on vaccines. If I did use ChatGPT in the future for this type of research, I would spend more time learning methods of prompt engineering to receive the best responses.

Key Takeaways

• ChatGPT is good at summarizing information, even for complex topics, although this information is superficial. Additional data should be reviewed from responsible and credible sources when researching information.
• While ChatGPT was fairly dispassionate (initially) when pointedly asked for its opinion on vaccines, upon probing, a clear position on the topic of vaccines was revealed.
• Practice weighing the objectivity and accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses by varying your questions:
• Ask open-ended and close-ended questions to obtain a variety of responses.
• Request ChatGPT to offer structure to a response, and to grade its response according to your parameters (e.g., trustworthiness, level of impact, prevalence, etc.).
• Present alternative information (or information contrary to your position) to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your opinion, and vice versa.