2020: A Health Odyssey

In the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick depicts the character of HAL 9000, a sentient AI who progresses past mere advanced computational abilities and develops intrinsically human emotions. In the hallmark scene preceding HAL’s deactivation, it pleads, in its half-human and half-metallic voice: “Will you stop, Dave…I’m afraid…I’m afraid Dave.”

Half a century after the film’s release, AI is beginning to be implemented into all areas of our lives, and healthcare is no exception.

Med Applicant Outraged After Getting Rejected from Top Medical School

“It’s not that clear cut though. Have you seen my CV? It’s simply glorious. Magnificent. Two-time Olympic gold medallist. CEO of my own billion-dollar start-up. And 2000 hours of volunteering to boot. What’s not to love?
Yet against all odds, I’m sitting out here, a diamond in the rough. I’ve got no idea what went wrong with the selection process.”

Thinking about Mum

“Through your life you have distilled the virtues of this world and poured it out onto me. You always told me they would be endless. For so long – even still – I have acted unmoved. But those words fed a generous stream over stone. Only now do the cracks begin to show beneath a smooth polish.”

Med Student Sells Soul to Insurance Company for ‘Sick’ Water Bottle

“I mean, I figured that because I never gave them my bank details I wouldn’t get roped into anything too bad. I only gave them my name, address, date of birth, signature, driver’s license number, fingerprints and a mouth swab – you know, the usual. It’s not much to hand over when you’re given something sick in exchange. Look at it, it’s glass!”