How to Harness AI for Good Featuring Michael Tresca

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized in healthcare for many purposes. Patients are wondering how they can safely and effectively use AI tools to educate themselves and to manage their health. Amber and guest Michael Tresca discuss what AI is, how it works, and why skepticism and source verification are essential. They highlight practical, lower-risk ways patients might use AI, such as organizing personal health data, drafting appointment questions, and explaining medical terms. The emphasis is on ongoing education, privacy concerns, responsible use, and the importance of "trust but verify" when using AI for critical health decisions without professional input. Episode transcript and more information at: Sign up for Mike's AI newsletter: AI Unplugged on LinkedIn Timestamps: 00:05 — Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:20 — Recap of Previous Episode and Relationship Disclosure 02:16 — Defining AI and Common Misconceptions 04:14 — AI in Clinical and Patient Use 05:11 — AI in Everyday Search and Unintentional Use 06:39 — AI Hallucinations: What They Are and Why They Happen 10:13 — Importance of AI Showing Its Work and Sources 10:58 — Challenges in Understanding AI's Reasoning 14:33 — AI Training Data and Source Reliability 15:31 — Risks of Outdated or Inaccurate Health Information 21:35 — AI's Responsibility in Providing Answers 23:13 — Tolerance for Error and Regulation in AI 24:02 — Transition to Patient Use Cases 24:19 — Using AI to Organize Medical Information 26:23 — Drafting Questions for Appointments with AI 27:19 — Tracking Symptoms or Diet with AI 28:22 — AI for Coping with Brain Fog or Fatigue 31:10 — Listener Feedback: Avoiding AI 32:31 — Listener Feedback: Privacy, Data Breaches, and Environmental Concerns 34:45 — Listener Feedback: Worry About Errors 36:29 — Listener Feedback: Using AI for Definitions and Basic Research 37:24 — Listener Feedback: Using AI to Explain Test Results 40:31 — Listener Feedback: Healthcare Providers Using AI for Notetaking 43:30 — Ethics of Recording Medical Visits 44:42 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts 46:25 — Outro and Credits Find Michael Tresca at World of Welstar: Twitter: @WorldofWelstar Instagram: @world_of_welstar Facebook: @worldofwelstar MeWe: Threads: Bluesky: Amazon: EN World: Drive Through RPG: Patreon: Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com : About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Threads: @about_IBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer Web: Cooney Studio YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Theme music, IBD Dance Party , is from ©Cooney Studio. These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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How to Harness AI for Good Featuring Michael Tresca is an episode from About IBD by About IBD With Amber J Tresca.

This episode is 47:20 long.

This episode was published on Feb 24, 2026.

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