Dr. Oz pushes AI avatars as a fix for rural health care. Not so fast, critics say
Summary
NPR reports Dr. Oz advocates using AI avatars to expand rural health access as part of a $50B rural health plan. The piece highlights potential benefits—extending reach and reducing clinician burnout—alongside concerns about the loss of human connection, unequal broadband access, and the ethics of testing new technology in underserved communities. CMS says AI tools should be evidence-based and used under clinical oversight, while critics warn this could worsen disparities or erode trust.