GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Podcast · Alex Smith, Eric Widera

AI and Healthcare: Bob Wachter

February 5, 2026·52 min·5 clips
Bob Wachter reveals why AI's timing in healthcare is ideal after three years of separating hype from reality.
Bob Wachter discusses his new book on AI in healthcare, explaining why now is the right time for integration, sharing practical tools he uses, and exploring impacts on jobs, trust, and the future of medicine.

As heard by us

A practical look at where AI can help medicine, and where cost still decides how human care is delivered.

Bob Wachter makes a practical case for using AI in healthcare when it can do the work at lower cost, while leaving more complicated judgment to people. The episode keeps coming back to familiar comparisons: financial services, travel agents, TurboTax, and concierge medicine.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a grounded take on AI in clinic life, press play.

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