Envisioning a Future Where Healthcare Tech Leaves Some Behind: MIT Prize Explores AI’s Impact on Healthcare Equity
As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize healthcare, a critical question arises: Will the pursuit of profit through subscription models exacerbate existing inequalities, leaving vulnerable patients behind?
MIT’s Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize, now in its third year, challenges students to explore the potential societal impacts—both positive and negative—of advancements in computing. This year, Annaliese Meyer, a PhD candidate at the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography and Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, won the grand prize for her speculative fiction piece, “(Pre/Sub)scribe.”
Inspired by research on the profound influence of microbiomes on overall health, Meyer conceived of “B-Bots,” synthetic bacterial mimics designed to regulate gut biomes via Bluetooth activation. Her winning paper chronicles the experiences of both the creator and a user of B-Bots, highlighting the technology’s benefits in managing vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions like acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.
However, the narrative takes a darker turn with the introduction of a subscription-based pay model for B-Bots. Meyer explains that this scenario aims to underscore the potential for for-profit healthcare systems to undermine even revolutionary medical advancements, creating disparities where some benefit while others are left behind due to wealth inequality.
“In a for-profit health-care system, even medical advances that would, in theory, be revolutionary for human health can end up causing more harm than good for the many people on the losing side of the massive wealth disparity in modern society,” Meyer stated.
Drawing on her experiences as a Canadian observing the US healthcare system, particularly her mother’s cancer treatments, Meyer emphasizes the importance of equitable access to care. Beyond the cautionary tale, she also hopes to convey a scientific message about the intricate nature of gut microbiomes, inspired by her work in ocean metaproteomics.
Meyer’s passion for writing, which predates her scientific aspirations, found an outlet in this contest. “I wrote a lot as a kid (‘author’ actually often preceded ‘scientist’ as my dream job while I was in elementary school), and I still write fiction in my spare time,” she says.
The $10,000 grand prize recognizes the depth and impact of her work. She stated that, “The chance to explore a new topic area which, though related to my field, was definitely out of my comfort zone, really pushed me as a writer and a scientist. It got me reading papers I’d never have found before, and digging into concepts that I’d barely ever encountered.”
The Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize, co-sponsored by the Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and MAC3 Philanthropies, attracted 65 submissions this year from a diverse range of academic disciplines.
Caspar Hare, associate dean of SERC and professor of philosophy, initiated the prize to encourage students to consider the broader societal implications of their work in computing. He affirmed the prize’s continued relevance and hinted at future workshops and guidance for interested participants.
The judging panel, comprised of faculty members from various departments, evaluated submissions based on their articulation, thoroughness, imagination, and inspiration. The two runners-up were Martin Staadecker and Juan Santoyo. Eight honorable mentions were also awarded, each receiving $1,000.
