Like any new technology, AI is not good or bad. In some aspects, it is uniquely qualified to solve some issues related to ADHD. In others, it has risks that will affect people with ADHD more than Neurotypicals.
In this article series, I will explain these situations and explore how we can harness AI to our benefit and what we need to be aware of.
The first article briefly introduces AI and how it can address issues around treating ADHD.
What is AI?
Understanding the concept of AI is essential before we start the discussion.
AI, or artificial intelligence, is like teaching a computer how to learn things on its own. Instead of telling it exactly what to do in every situation (like in regular computer programs), we give it examples and let it figure out the best solution.
Think of it like this, if you wanted a computer to recognize a human face, it would be tough to list out all the different faces it could possibly see. Instead, with AI, we can show it examples of faces, and it will learn to recognize new ones on its own. This way, it can handle complex tasks that would be too difficult to program in the traditional way.
The Relevance of AI to ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Imagine you have a sore throat. The doctor can simply take a swab, check if it’s bacteria causing the problem, and if so, prescribe antibiotics. No bacteria? It’s likely a virus, and antibiotics won’t help. This is pretty straightforward.
But with ADHD, things get much more complex.
- Focus- We can struggle with focusing but can sometimes hyperfocus
- Co-morbidities- ADHD can drive other mental health conditions, but other mental health conditions can look like ADHD
- Masking- many adults with ADHD developed the ability to work around some of the ADHD symptoms. In these cases, they might “look” like they are not struggling.
And more.
That’s where AI comes into the picture. At iFocus, for example, we “Showed” the computer how the reading process of people with ADHD changes when they are properly treated.
Now our algorithm can analyze the reading patterns of people with ADHD with and without their meds. It knows it “looks” when the meds work well and can let you know how well you are doing.
In closing, AI offers promising potential in managing ADHD. At iFocus, we’ve seen firsthand its ability to help. However, we must balance the benefits with an awareness of potential risks. Join us in our next article, where we will further explore the intersection of AI and ADHD.
For a limited time, you can join our Beta program and see for yourself how iFocus can change your ADHD journey.
