What is AI grounding and hallucination?

When delving into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for medical record reviews, various questions and concerns often arise. The terminology can be complex, leaving many people confused about what it all means for the AI they’re working with. We’re going to simplify things by addressing some common questions about AI. 

What are hallucinations?

One particularly prevalent concern revolves around the issue of hallucination. This phenomenon occurs when AI inadvertently presents erroneous or misleading information as factual. Other terms that may be used to describe this occurrence include confabulation or delusion. 

In the realm of medical record analysis, an AI hallucination could manifest in many forms with varying consequences. For instance, an AI system could erroneously include details in a medical summary, such as the presence of diabetes in an individual, when in reality, no such condition exists. Such hallucinations pose significant challenges, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions or misinformed decisions.

What is grounding?

In the realm of generative AI, "grounding" refers to the vital link between the output of an AI model and credible, verifiable sources of information. By tethering the AI model to such sources, the chances that the AI system will generate erroneous or fictitious content is significantly reduced. This concept becomes particularly critical in contexts where precision and dependability are paramount, such as medical record reviews. 

Conclusion

Understanding concepts such as grounding and hallucinations in AI is crucial, especially when using AI for tasks that require high levels of accuracy, like medical record reviews. Hallucinations, or the presentation of false or misleading information by AI, can have serious consequences for decision-making. However, grounding can serve as a safeguard for this problem, ensuring that AI outputs are tethered to credible sources to reduce the risk of errors.

By grasping these fundamental AI concepts, you can navigate the complexities of AI with greater clarity and confidence.

Want to learn more about evaluating the reliability of AI for medical record analysis? Download our recent white paper here.