The Experts in Animal Health

The announcement that Farmers Business Network has launched a ChatGPT-based artificial intelligence (AI) platform for farmers caught my eye. AI-based platforms are everywhere these days, including in animal health. But if you’re unfamiliar with it, ChatGPT is next-level disruption in AI. It is a natural language processing tool that can answer questions and assist you with tasks like composing emails or letters, making lists, or even producing computer code. I tried it out, asking to do everything from writing a cover letter, to explaining the steps for CPR, to writing a haiku about cows. The results were more or less indistinguishable from what I might have written myself.

Many have concerns about sophisticated AI that is able to flawlessly mimic human interactions; from worries about students using it to generate essays and test answers, to ChatGPT effectively replacing human employees. From a veterinary perspective, it could expand upon the tendency for pet owners to go to “Dr. Google” for answers about their pets’ problems. But there can also be significant benefits in efficiency and cost savings if it’s used in a thoughtful manner. The bottom line is that AI is not going away, and our industry can either embrace it, or stick our heads in the sand and suffer the consequences.

Lynn Fondon

P.S.  Are you curious about whether ChatGPT could write the Viewpoint?  I was – so I asked it to do that. Here’s the result using the prompt “Write 100 words about ChatGPT in veterinary medicine. Include both positive and negative points.”

“ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in veterinary medicine, providing quick access to a vast database of information about animal health and wellness. With its advanced natural language processing capabilities, ChatGPT can understand complex questions and provide accurate answers, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations based on the latest research and clinical best practices. This can be particularly helpful in rare or complex cases.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to relying solely on ChatGPT for veterinary advice. ChatGPT cannot physically examine or observe animals, which limits its ability to make accurate diagnoses or recommendations. In addition, it may not take into account individual factors, such as an animal’s age, breed, or medical history. Therefore, it is important to use ChatGPT as a complementary tool to veterinary care and not as a replacement for in-person consultations.”

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