A warning about #AI in #healthcare...

Boy, am I pissed off. A medical practice of whom I've been a customer for 7 years recently deployed a virtual assistant, "Olivia", to take the place of their receptionist. I specifically asked if this virtual assistant would utilize AI (meaning Generative Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Model processing, machine learning, etc.) to collect, process, store, and train using patient data. They did not directly address my concern, but at the time I let it go. It upset me, but what came next was way worse!

Recently (August 2026), this practice announced plans to adopt athenaOne (https://www.athenahealth.com/solutions/athenaone/electronic-health-records), an "AI-native EHR platform". I am terminating my relationship with this organization and all its Providers. I told them, I have not given my consent to their organization to collect, process, or store my personal health information or medical records using this platform. Neither have I consented to my personal health information or medical records or any data about me whatsoever being used to train athenaOne, "Olivia", or any software or computing platforms provided by athenahealth.

Now, their privacy policy which was last updated on September 6, 2013 does not remotely address any of the new technologies they are implementing. Medical providers are required by law to ensure that health and medical information that identifies me is kept private (#HIPAA and other regulations).

I really would like to understand how that is being done while utilizing at least 2 AI-enabled platforms that this provide has decided to roll out... BIG SHOCKER - no reply yet from the organization. Stay vigilant, #privacy advocates!