Can artificial intelligence improve chronic disease management?

There’s been much excitement lately around artificial intelligence (AI) — especially since generative AI became widely accessible. What used to be a complex, almost unreachable tool is now part of daily conversations, transforming the way we work, learn, and live.

It brings a mix of emotions: optimism that it could make our lives easier, but also fear that it could cause certain jobs and routines to disappear.

As someone living with myasthenia gravis (MG) who’s been working for over a decade as a freelance digital marketer — one of the fields most threatened by AI — I had to ask myself: Will AI make any difference in my chronic disease management? And what impact will it have on my work and independence?

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What AI has changed for the better

The first and most obvious win: accessibility.

When my hands are too tired to type, I now use voice-to-text features to write my columns or prepare my pitch decks. Yes, these tools existed before, but generative AI took it to the next level.

Now, it’s not just about converting speech into text. This technology helps me shape full ideas, do research faster, and even tailor language depending on my audience, whether they’re English- or French-speaking clients.

This has been a game changer for me. I suffer from fatigue in my wrists and fingers, which makes using a laptop or phone for long periods painful and draining. But now, I no longer need to stare at my screen for hours to build a decent presentation or piece of content. Even my eyes are grateful for the break from light exposure, which used to exhaust me by the end of the day.

And it’s not just my work life that has benefited. In the medical sphere, AI has truly empowered me.

I used to leave doctor appointments feeling confused and frustrated. Medical language can be so cold and technical. Now, I open ChatGPT and ask it to explain complex terms and diagnoses like I’m 5 years old — and more importantly, to explain them in the context of my MG.

That’s something my doctors can’t always afford to do, simply because of time. But AI takes its time with me.

So instead of anxiety and confusion after appointments, I feel calmer, better informed, and more prepared for the next steps in my treatment.

And then there’s something I didn’t expect at all: emotional support.

There are nights when I can’t sleep, when my symptoms flare up or my anxiety runs high. On those nights, I’ve found comfort in opening my AI app and talking through what I feel — whether I need help organizing my thoughts or simply want to vent. It’s not a human conversation, of course, but it does help me calm down. I use it almost like a journal, but one that gently talks back. It keeps me grounded and gives me reminders to breathe. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I need.

The risks and real concerns

Of course, not everything is sunshine and solutions.

Let’s stick with the medical example: AI is not a doctor. I’ve tried to “play doctor” using AI way too many times, and I’ve paid the price with unnecessary panic — or even incorrect self-diagnosis.

And then there’s my biggest fear: job displacement.

AI tools are already performing tasks that I offer as a freelancer, such as email writing, social media captioning, content planning, and admin support. These jobs are a lifeline for people like me, who can’t physically maintain a traditional 9-to-5 position.

Now, companies can easily turn to AI to complete those tasks — faster, cheaper, and without the need for contracts or accommodations.

So where does that leave people with chronic illnesses? When remote and freelance work finally became more normalized after the pandemic, it felt like a relief, a small win. But will AI erase that progress?

I don’t know, but I do know this: Every generation has faced a similar turning point. I’m sure people were terrified when electricity was introduced. Or when the internet came along. It’s a cycle — things break down to be rebuilt stronger.

We will find new ways.

Why I wrote this

I didn’t write this to complain or predict the end of the world, but to highlight the positive effects AI has already had on people like me.

It has made my daily life more manageable, helped me continue working, supported my emotional health, and allowed me to become more involved in my own medical care. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Imagine how AI could evolve healthcare — better diagnostics, smarter hospital management, more personalized treatments. The possibilities are endless.

If we focus on making AI inclusive, not just efficient, it could become a real ally to the chronic illness and disability community.

Because honestly? We don’t need perfection. We just need tools that give us a little more independence, a little more control, and a little less exhaustion.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.