Elon Musk wants people to submit their medical scans to Grok, his AI chatbot
The xAI owner says the tool is ‘quite accurate’ at analyzing X-rays, MRIs and other images while experts urge caution
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Elon Musk is urging people to submit their medical scans to Grok for analysis, but doctors advise using caution when relying on artificial intelligence for health care insights.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted on X on Tuesday, encouraging his followers to submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs or other medical images to the AI chatbot.
"This is still early stage, but it is already quite accurate and will become extremely good," Musk wrote.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
The X owner also asked people to report back on "where Grok gets it right or needs work."
Musk launched Grok, a product of his company xAI, in 2023.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The most recent version of the generative AI chatbot is described as a "frontier language model with state-of-the-art reasoning capabilities."
Elon Musk is urging people to submit their medical scans to Grok for analysis. (Getty Images)
‘Future of medicine’
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News' senior medical analyst, responded to the Musk post in an interview with Fox News Digital, calling AI the "future of medicine."
"It will be a big factor in terms of patients who have access to their own data, and it will become a big part of outreach to underserved areas, where well-trained radiologists are not available," Siegel said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NOT ALWAYS HELPFUL FOR REDUCING DOCTOR BURNOUT, STUDIES SUGGEST
Siegel said he believes we are reaching "the point of accuracy" where AI and machine learning can help to guide patient-centric health.
Musk launched Grok, a product of his company xAI, in 2023. The most recent version of the generative AI chatbot is described as a "frontier language model with state-of-the-art reasoning capabilities." (Getty Images)
The doctor urged patients and doctors to embrace AI technology rather than fight it.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We should work with it," he said. "It is the automatic pilot of medicine."
"Doctors still need to guide the way or be available remotely to oversee guidance."
In terms of Musk's request that people submit their scans, Siegel pointed out that AI needs data to improve.
"People sending in images will help greatly with development as AI perfects its responses based on machine learning," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It will not replace doctors entirely, but will be a very useful partner," Siegel said of generative AI in health care. (Getty Images)
Dr. Harvey Castro, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on artificial intelligence based in Dallas, Texas, referred to Grok’s potential ability to read medical scans as "promising and complex."
"As an ER physician, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial quick, accurate diagnostics are in life-threatening situations," Castro told Fox News Digital.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"AI can be a powerful tool in augmenting medical expertise, potentially accelerating diagnosis and improving patient outcomes."
Caution is essential, experts say
While Grok and other AI models show promise in interpreting medical scans, both experts agree that users should proceed with caution.
"Doctors still need to guide the way or be available remotely to oversee guidance," Siegel said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This is still early stage, but it is already quite accurate and will become extremely good," Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X Holdings Corp., wrote about Grok. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
"It will not replace doctors entirely, but will be a very useful partner."
Castro emphasized that medical AI must meet the "highest standards of accuracy and reliability, particularly when dealing with sensitive, life-impacting information."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Patient privacy and data security are also essential, he noted.
"While Grok’s potential is exciting, any AI used in health care should complement human expertise, not replace it," he told Fox News Digital.
"This technology holds transformative potential, but it must prioritize patient safety and trust above all."
"Ethical oversight, transparency and validation of established medical standards are non-negotiable as we move into this new frontier," Castro went on.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This technology holds transformative potential, but it must prioritize patient safety and trust above all."
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Fox News Digital reached out to Musk requesting comment.