Do People Still Matter? Healthcare in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare. Unlike previous technologies, AI has the capability to perform tasks previously considered uniquely human including synthesizing historical information and data to establish a clinical diagnosis and constructing a treatment plan. AI promises to improve diagnostic accuracy, accelerate drug discovery and development, and enhance access to healthcare. The overall impact that AI will have on the well-being of individuals who provide and receive care, however, is less obvious. This article examines the potential and pitfalls of AI in medicine through the lens of mattering and its importance to human flourishing. Mattering is a psychological construct that encompasses the human needs to be noticed, feel significant, and contribute. It arises from interpersonal interactions and is based on perceptions of our value within our communities and society. Mattering is inherently relational, is a significant contributor to psychological well-being, and may be at risk in the age of AI. The authors describe the foundations of mattering and its relevance to medicine; the potential impacts of AI on mattering in medicine from the clinician, patient, and trainee perspectives; and propose a framework for integrating AI into healthcare such that mattering is preserved for all stakeholders.