People want human oversight of health care AI as New York weighs data center growth
A Pew Research Center survey found that Americans generally support limited uses of health care AI but want human oversight for diagnoses, treatment and insurance decisions. The findings come as New York reviews the impacts of large data centers, including TeraWulf's proposed Lake Hawkeye project in Lansing, where town officials are considering a prohibition on data centers and cryptocurrency mining.
A Pew Research Center survey found that most Americans remain uncomfortable with AI making medical diagnoses or treatment decisions and prefer human review. Respondents were more receptive to supportive uses such as translation, scan analysis and explaining laboratory results, but expressed concerns about privacy, accountability, costs and patient-doctor relationships.
The survey is being discussed amid New York's broader review of data center development. Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive order pauses certain state Department of Environmental Conservation permit applications for covered data centers using at least 50 megawatts while the state examines electricity, water, public health, noise and community impacts. In Lansing, officials are moving toward a proposed prohibition on data centers and cryptocurrency mining, including TeraWulf's Lake Hawkeye project at the former Milliken power plant site. The Town of Lansing scheduled a public input meeting for Nov. 17, while TeraWulf representative Pace Rally asked officials to keep the review process open and cited additional technical work and potential economic benefits.