RFK Jr. Promotes AI Chatbots as Superior to Human Doctors

During a “fireside chat” with Vice President JD Vance at the Make America Healthy Again Conference, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., identified in the article as the U.S. government’s chief medical spokesperson, asserted that artificial-intelligence models are now “better informed” than physicians. He argued that AI could free Americans from “medical tyranny” and enable them to question every recommendation from doctors, masks, social-distancing rules, or vaccines.

Futurism

Kennedy’s promotion of AI aligns with his long-standing distrust of conventional medicine, including vaccine skepticism and advocacy of a red-meat-heavy diet. The article notes that a medical AI tool called OpenEvidence is reportedly used by roughly two-thirds of U.S. physicians for note-taking and symptom lookup, yet many clinicians remain skeptical of such systems. A recent academic paper cited in the piece claimed AI models surpass human doctors, a conclusion that drew criticism from the head of the American Medical Association. Additionally, the article highlights that AI-driven “scribes” have been caught fabricating nonexistent medical issues.

Futurism

Kennedy’s remarks framed AI as a check on public officials who “tell us, ‘Trust the experts.’” He suggested that if officials promote masks, social distancing, or vaccines, AI could “correct” those messages. The claim that Sam Altman warned against practicing medicine without AI assistance is presented as Kennedy’s attribution, not independently verified. The American Medical Association’s leadership, as referenced, disputed the notion that AI has overtaken physicians, emphasizing ongoing concerns about reliability and safety.

Futurism

• “One of the things that is going to change is that we’re never ever again going to be able to be dominated by public officials who tell us, ‘Trust the experts,'” — Robert F. Kennedy

Futurism