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What is your take on the fact that the rise of AI could start to take the place of various hands-on careers For example, AI motion tracking could begin to replace the human element of a physical therapist; or do you feel that jobs requiring unpredictable physical work are "safe" and will never truly replicate what a human can do? ?

I'm in my Junior year in High School and I'm interested in becoming a Physical Therapist. My question is specifically about AI in general while also being interested in the Physical Therapy aspect of it.
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Rebecca’s Answer

I think AI will transform the diagnostic aspect of physical therapy but not the treatment. There will always be benefit in actual human hands-on work. But selection of exercises and treatment protocols by AI may take away some of the problem-solving tasks PTs are responsible for, however we still need to understand those choices and be able to teach and integrate them effectively for the patient.
I am sure a lot of PT's would be VERY happy to have AI take over the documentation requirements and insurance approvals!!! and scheduling/billing, etc.. all the mundane stuff. But not the interactive and interpersonal components. That is irreplaceable.
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Rufino’s Answer

I personally don't think AI and specifically autonomous robots will take the place of a physical therapist (PT) any time soon. Thinking about how much sensory is involved with even trying to help someone stretch out their muscle, I'd be terrified to have a robot trying to do that to me. I've seen videos of autonomous robots doing things incorrectly with some damaging force.

The example of AI motion tracking should be an aid to a PT. It can log real-time data with high levels of accuracy to see where the alignment issues might be (just thoughts, I'm not a PT). Then the data from every visit can be complied to show the ebbs and flows of progress.

I would hope that even as healthcare technology advances at the same pace of AI, there will always be a human involved as oversight.
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John’s Answer

Hi John, thanks for your question. You have a lot of great answers here, but the word "never" in your question is what I'd like to talk about. We don't have a crystal ball to be able to say for sure that physical work will never be replaced by ai robots, especially given enough time for science to advance it could eventually get there. What we don't know is how long it would take for that to happen. From what I know now, I think there is still quite a bit of run way for the physical therapist profession since we as humans need human connection and accountability. We humans feel more comfortable talking to a person and feeling the human touch, we also have the need to have somebody accountable and a bot doesn't have accountability. Hopefully, this helps you in making your decisions. Enjoy!
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Kelly’s Answer

What I'm seeing is that AI cannot replace a human's judgment. With the hands on nature of physical therapy, there will always be a need for human involvement. Additionally, the connection, encouragement and understanding of a human can never fully be replaced by a robot.
That being said, the busy work of scheduling and insurance? Let the bot handle that. This would give you more time to be with patients anyway.
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Jim’s Answer

I work with AI in finance, and I believe AI is here to help us, not replace us. It makes our work easier and more efficient. AI isn't perfect, so we still need people to check its work. This is why the idea of a "Human in the Loop" is important and won't go away. Follow your passion, but also learn about AI and how it can help you. AI is just another tool to make your job easier.

Start by learning the basics of AI so you understand the terms and how to use it for your needs. Instead of asking, "How do I do this?" try thinking, "How can AI help me do this?" Knowing AI will make you more valuable to your company and clients.
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Sandeep’s Answer

Hello John,

AI will likely assist hands-on careers like physical therapy, not replace them. It can help with motion tracking, progress monitoring, and personalized exercise plans, but it can’t replicate human touch, real-time judgment, or patient interaction.

Jobs that involve unpredictable physical work and human care like physical therapy are generally more resilient. The field may evolve with AI tools, but skilled professionals will still be essential for treatment and patient trust.
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Ranjan’s Answer

I wanted to share my perspective on the implications of AI advancements within the healthcare industry. As technology continues to evolve, I believe we’ll see a significant impact, especially in how AI aids healthcare professionals—including physical therapists—to perform their work more efficiently and effectively. Human oversight and involvement will always be always there to operate or supervise AI technology, ensuring the highest standards of care.
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