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Abstract
Large language models (LLMs) can respond to free-text queries without being specifically trained in the task in question, causing excitement and concern about their use in healthcare settings. ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot produced through sophisticated fine-tuning of an LLM, and other tools are emerging through similar developmental processes. Here we outline how LLM applications such as ChatGPT are developed, and we discuss how they are being leveraged in clinical settings. We consider the strengths and limitations of LLMs and their potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical, educational and research work in medicine. LLM chatbots have already been deployed in a range of biomedical contexts, with impressive but mixed results. This review acts as a primer for interested clinicians, who will determine if and how LLM technology is used in healthcare for the benefit of patients and practitioners.
This review explains how large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, are developed and discusses their strengths and limitations in the context of potential clinical applications.
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1 University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK (GRID:grid.5335.0) (ISNI:0000000121885934); University of Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, UK (GRID:grid.5335.0) (ISNI:0000000121885934)
2 University of Birmingham, Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Birmingham, UK (GRID:grid.6572.6) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 7486); Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK (GRID:grid.414513.6) (ISNI:0000 0004 0399 8996); University of Nottingham, Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Nottingham, UK (GRID:grid.4563.4) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8868)
3 Singapore National Eye Centre, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.419272.b) (ISNI:0000 0000 9960 1711)
4 Singapore National Eye Centre, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.419272.b) (ISNI:0000 0000 9960 1711); Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.428397.3) (ISNI:0000 0004 0385 0924)
5 Singapore National Eye Centre, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.419272.b) (ISNI:0000 0000 9960 1711); Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.428397.3) (ISNI:0000 0004 0385 0924); Stanford University, Byers Eye Institute, Palo Alto, USA (GRID:grid.168010.e) (ISNI:0000000419368956)