Human Intelligence versus AI—A Physical Therapist’s Perspective
The “singularity” is a hypothetical idea where eventually artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence. While attending a business conference ten years ago, I listened to a CEO lecture on his prediction of the singularity being reached prior to 2030. He described all the potential benefits and risks of this new disruptive technology, now referred to as artificial intelligence (AI). He defined it as the new battle of the century between computers and humans. It wasn’t quite The Terminator or that tale of Paul Bunyan, but he did forecast a future where AI would be replacing much of the jobs and activities currently performed by humans. Despite the fact that technology has been replacing the activity of humans for millennia, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and politely sat through his entire lecture.
Following this conference, I was asked to consult for another company, making a video exercise program for physical therapists to use to prescribe exercises to patients. The vision for this company was to apply an AI model for prescribing rehabilitative exercises that would not require humans. Was it possible this company was merely using me as a consultant to create a technology to replace me? Maybe this was going to be another Paul Bunyan moment?
As this software vendor’s vision became clear to me, I was reminded of the Microsoft Kinect technology that utilized a camera and additional technologies to project your body image onto a computer screen. Not a month went by that year without a new start-up trying to sell me a system that would teach patients their home exercise— looking to replace my expertise in coaching rehabilitative exercises. Eventually it became obvious to me that although this technology proved to be great in projecting the human body in the Dance Dance Revolution game, it wasn’t so effective for rehabilitation.
Forty years of technological advances have occurred since I began my PT career and I am proud to say that I have yet to be replaced. AI technology is simply the newest and shiniest tool on the market, which like any tool, if properly adopted to clinical practice can serve to augment the tool-bag of a skilled physical therapist.
Those suffering from pain and impaired movement often have gross motion disturbances that can just as easily be detected by the naked eye, as by a camera. Many patients have clusters of symptoms that can be plugged into an AI algorithm and make suggestions on medical interventions, including rehab exercises. However almost all people that show up at a physical therapy clinic have subtle changes in joint mobility and motor control that simply cannot be picked up by a camera, nor treated with a formulaic protocol.
Physical therapists are experts in analyzing and assessing movement. We can certainly use technology to assist us in observing movement, but we will never be replaced by it. Rehabilitative exercises are not the same as general exercises commonly used in personal training or exercise classes. We develop exercise programs that are focused on resolving tissue dysfunction and pathology. It is akin to the difference between knowing how to drive a car versus knowing how to fix one. Those that teach general exercise know how to train a healthy body but they are not trained in how to fix an injured one. We believe physical therapy should be performed by a physical therapist—and not some other medical practitioner, trainer or assistant. We are trained in the biomechanics of joint and limb movement, the neuroanatomy of pain and muscle activation, the ergonomics of posture, and the motor patterns of efficient and coordinated performance.
| Rehabilitation Exercise | Exercise | Strength & Conditioning |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue repair training Joint mobilization Edema resolution Pain inhibition Local vascularity (perfusion) Nerve conduction Nerve mobility Motor control Strength (neural adaptation) Sensory integration (dysequilibrium) Rehab protocols Cognitive: fear avoidance Non participation | Flexibility (ROM osteo) Endurance Strength (hypertrophy) Balance Cardio (VO2 Max) Hypertrophy (bodybuilding) Weight loss Circuit programs Cognitive: Motivation Return to Practice | Speed Power Agility Performance Skills and drills Warm up and injury prevention programs Pre, during, post season Cognitive: Visualization Return to Play |
The actual singularity is you, the patient. A person comes with too many variables within their physical bodies, motor performance, movement requirements and training to be effectively treated by AI-generated recipes of general exercises. Just as an MRI can identify injured tissues, it does not delineate anything about pain, weakness, motor timing, endurance or balance deficits. There is much more to rehabilitation than just picking an exercise. In fact it requires proper dosing, a logical and safe progression, as well as education for long-term self care. All of this requires the brain, hands and heart of a skilled human therapist.
If you are a human, we have humans standing by ready to fix your body. Let us assess your pain, restore joint motion, assist in normalizing your movement patterns and return you to normal function. We can hold the hands of technology and move forward together, using the right tool for the right job. Contact one of MTI’s clinics to get started today.
