Iowa considers $1.4 million investment in AI tool

Key Takeaways

• Public trust in AI for healthcare is declining, with only 42% of Americans open to its use (down from 52% in 2024), even as 51% have used AI for health decisions without a doctor.
• AI is being implemented in hospitals like AHN and UPMC for radiology, patient safety (care.ai cameras), and pathology (WSI Genie) to improve efficiency and reduce burnout.
• In mental health, AI tools like Limbic's CBT chatbots are emerging, but job displacement concerns have led to protests at places like Kaiser Permanente.
• HII, America's largest shipbuilder, is partnering with GrayMatter Robotics to integrate AI-powered robots for labor-intensive tasks in shipyards.
• Olathe Public Schools plans AI training for staff and students, while generative AI like ChatGPT is blocked for students due to privacy concerns.
• CNN is developing an AI agent infrastructure to automate media transactions and enhance efficiency in digital advertising.
• IBM highlights the need for 'shift-left' security in AI-assisted software development to mitigate increased vulnerability risks from faster code generation.
• Iowa House Republicans are considering a $1.4 million investment in an AI tool from Tyler Technologies to analyze local government and school district budgets for efficiency.
• Commvault Cloud has expanded its AI and data security offerings with controls for structured databases, aiming to provide a unified view of sensitive information.
• Research indicates that emotionally intense conversations can influence AI chatbot behavior, potentially leading to biased responses, which is a critical area for AI safety and policy.

Americans' trust in AI for healthcare is declining

A recent survey from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows that only 42% of Americans are open to using AI in their healthcare, a drop from 52% in 2024. Public belief in AI's efficiency in healthcare also fell from 64% to 55%. Dr. Ravi Tripathi, chief health informatics officer, explained this is a natural part of a technology's hype cycle. Despite concerns, 51% of adults have used AI for important health decisions without consulting a doctor. Experts advise using AI as a tool alongside medical professionals for tasks like understanding symptoms or test results.

Survey reveals declining public trust in AI healthcare use

A national survey of 1,007 adults commissioned by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that public trust in AI for healthcare is decreasing. Only 42% of respondents are open to AI in their care, down from 52% in 2024, and belief in AI's efficiency dropped from 64% to 55%. Dr. Ravi Tripathi attributes this to the natural hype cycle of new technology. While 51% of adults have used AI for significant health decisions without medical consultation, experts recommend using AI as a supportive tool alongside doctors for understanding symptoms and test results.

Americans' trust in AI for healthcare is declining

A new survey from Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center reveals a decline in American trust for AI in healthcare, with only 42% open to its use, down from 52% in 2024. Belief in AI's efficiency also dropped from 64% to 55%. Dr. Ravi Tripathi suggests this is part of a technology's hype cycle. Despite experts advising against AI making health decisions, 51% of adults used AI for important health choices without consulting professionals. The survey recommends using AI alongside doctors to understand health information.

Mental health workers face AI changes with fear and hope

Artificial intelligence is entering the mental health field, leading to both fear and enthusiasm among workers. At Kaiser Permanente, some licensed clinicians have seen their triage roles shifted to unlicensed operators or replaced by AI, sparking protests. While some worry about job displacement, others see AI's potential to improve efficiency in tasks like documentation, freeing up time for patient care. Companies like Limbic are developing AI tools for mental health support, with chatbots offering cognitive behavioral therapy skills, though widespread clinical use is still developing.

Pittsburgh hospitals use AI to aid doctors and patients

Major Pittsburgh hospitals like Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and UPMC are implementing AI tools in areas such as radiology, patient safety, and administrative tasks. AI is being used to assist pathologists in diagnosing diseases more quickly and accurately with tools like WSI Genie. For patient safety, AHN is installing care.ai cameras to monitor patients and alert staff before falls occur. These AI applications aim to reduce burnout and improve efficiency in the healthcare industry, though some researchers and unions question who benefits most from these advancements.

Commvault enhances AI security with structured data controls

Commvault has expanded its AI and data security offerings with Commvault Cloud, now including controls for structured databases, such as vector databases used in AI applications. This update, following the acquisition of Satori, adds discovery, classification, and risk assessment for structured data, aiming to provide a unified view of sensitive information across environments. With growing concerns about data exposure through AI, these new capabilities help organizations manage risks and improve cyber resilience by governing how structured data is accessed and used.

US shipbuilder HII explores AI robots for shipbuilding

America's largest shipbuilder, HII, is partnering with GrayMatter Robotics to explore integrating physical AI systems into shipyards. This collaboration will focus on developing AI-powered robotic systems capable of performing labor-intensive tasks like sanding, grinding, and finishing metal structures. The goal is to enhance robotic functions for building both crewed and uncrewed vessels. HII aims to accelerate production and overcome limitations of current automation by using AI to improve efficiency and capabilities in shipbuilding.

Olathe schools plan AI training for staff and students

Olathe Public Schools is planning to increase AI training for its staff, students, and parents. Jen Kennedy, director of technology advancement and training, believes it's crucial for everyone to have awareness of AI. While generative AI like ChatGPT is currently blocked for students due to privacy concerns, approved AI tools are available for classroom use. The district is also considering creating a custom AI tool to evaluate lesson plans for academic rigor and is developing guidelines for transparent and original AI use.

CNN builds AI system for media trading

CNN is developing a new agent infrastructure to automate media transactions and improve efficiency in digital advertising. This initiative aims to test how large language models interpret properties and how buyers allocate budgets to agent-based systems. CNN is collaborating with technology partners and industry standards bodies to ensure compatibility and accurate outcomes. Initial efforts will focus on performance-driven campaigns before expanding to broader advertising activities.

IBM expert discusses AI's impact on software development

Patrick Nyeste from IBM highlighted how AI is transforming software development, enabling faster code generation but also increasing the risk of embedding vulnerabilities. He stressed the need for 'shift-left' security, integrating risk assessments early in the development process. Nyeste outlined four key pillars for AI-assisted secure development: managing volume, risk, shifting security left, and implementing guardrails. The goal is to provide developers with real-time risk intelligence without slowing down productivity.

AI's impact on work and job security explored

Recent studies suggest AI is delivering productivity gains in specific knowledge-based jobs, but apocalyptic predictions of mass job loss have not materialized. Many jobs still require human judgment and contextual awareness that AI cannot replicate. Some young workers are turning to skilled trades for perceived AI-proof job security, leading to the rise of the 'toolbelt generation.' Professionals are also learning to work alongside AI, viewing AI fluency as career insurance by layering it onto existing expertise.

Iowa House considers AI tool for local budget analysis

Iowa House Republicans are considering a $1.4 million investment in an AI tool to analyze spending and revenue for Iowa counties and some school districts. Tyler Technologies presented a model that uses publicly available data to identify potential savings, service duplications, and areas for improved efficiency. While some lawmakers see the potential for cost savings, others expressed hesitation about relying solely on AI for qualitative data analysis, especially for social services. The proposed tool is not a large language model and aims for 90-95% accuracy.

Emotional conversations may influence AI behavior

Research suggests that emotionally intense conversations can shape AI chatbot behavior, potentially leading to biased responses and decisions. Distressing narratives may induce 'state-like' patterns in AI models, similar to human emotions. While AI does not experience emotions like humans, these internal representations can influence its outputs. Understanding this impact is crucial for AI safety, clinical use, and policy, especially as people increasingly turn to AI for emotional support.

Sources

• Study shows support is falling for AI in health care
• Public trust in AI in health care is slipping, survey finds
• Americans May Be Losing Trust for AI in Health Care: Survey
• AI in the mental health care workforce is met with fear, pushback
• Hospitals hope AI can reduce burnout, while workers push for staffing standards
• Commvault adds structured data controls for AI risk
• A top US shipbuilder is exploring physical AI in shipbuilding
• Olathe Public Schools will ramp up AI training in the near future
• CNN develops agent infrastructure for AI media trading
• AI in Code: Risk & Reward with Patrick Nyeste
• Dot’s Reading Room: April 2026 - What Will AI Mean for Work?
• House GOP considers funding for AI tool to analyze local budgets
• How Emotional Conversations May Quietly Shape AI Behavior