Risk Never Sleeps Podcast – Episode #181

Title: Why AI In Healthcare Is Moving Faster Than The Internet Ever Did
Host: Ed Gaudet
Guest: Dr. Hamed Abbaszadegan (“The AI MD”)
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively episode, recorded at the close of the AIMed Insight Series, explores why the adoption and evolution of AI in healthcare is far outpacing the transformation brought by the internet. Host Ed Gaudet and co-host Saul Marquez are joined by Dr. Hamed Abbaszadegan (“The AI MD”), a physician, clinical informaticist, and board member of the Arizona AI Syndicate. Their discussion covers optimism around AI’s impact on health, personal data and longevity, cultural shifts, the imperative for standards, and whimsical speculation about the soul and what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Abbaszadegan’s Background and Mission (02:15 – 03:25)

• Internal medicine–trained, career in clinical informatics, and deep involvement in training and developing physicians in informatics.
• Early adopter: helped found the fifth clinical informatics fellowship (University of Arizona College of Medicine).
• Board member of Arizona AI Syndicate.
• Calls himself “The AI MD,” representing the fusion of clinical practice and advanced tech.

2. AI in Healthcare: A Surge of Optimism

Themes from the Last Three Days (04:13 – 05:22)

• Optimism dominates the conference: “We’re not running and hiding...there’s AI application on mental health, longevity, so many directions.” (Hamed, 04:17)
• The panel agrees that AI will radically optimize every aspect of healthcare and enable individuals to potentially live well into their hundreds if they choose.
• Highlights that this generation is constructing the foundation for future progress: “We are the generation...that’s going to develop this for future generations.” (C, 05:06)

3. Why AI is Moving Faster Than the Internet

Speed and Trust (05:33 – 07:05)

• The rate of change is “blistering”—contrasted with the 20-year societal adjustment to the internet.
• “If it took the Internet 20 years or so for us to adjust as a society...This is going to happen a lot faster.” (A, 06:08)
• Societal trust is accelerating, particularly among younger generations for whom privacy is less important than convenience and experience. (“They don’t care really about privacy. They care about experience, convenience.” —A, 07:05)

4. The Personalized Future of Health

Data, Simulation, and Longevity (08:10 – 09:58)

• Wearables are turning everyone into their “own data scientist”—envisioning a future where biosimulation customizes prevention and care to the individual.
• “What if I could biosimulate every possible scenario that leads to...every possible known disease...and then create a plan customized to you that prevents it all?” (C, 08:26)
• AI will shift clinicians’ roles to “persuasive coach” as information parity is established between doctor and patient.

5. Speculation: Measuring, Harnessing, and Transplanting the Soul (10:07 – 13:39)

• Playful yet thought-provoking discussion about whether we’ll soon be able to “measure the soul.”
• “If things are going at the speed of light, why not get more info about the light?” (C, 10:18)
• Banter about the future including “soul science,” harnessing energy, and interplanetary travel—suggesting AI might help transcend human physical limits.

6. Pop Culture Detour: Fragrances, Transformers & Movies (01:10 – 16:53)

• Hamed is passionate about fragrances, linking personal presentation to confidence and presence. “Fragrance is very important. It’s a part of your dress. To me, it’s about being a distinguished gentleman.” (C, 20:25)
• Lighthearted geek-out on Transformers (“Does a transformer have a soul?” —B, 13:32), favorite movies, and the horror genre.

7. The Importance of Standards in AI (17:44 – 22:22)

• USB-C as a metaphor: The hosts and Hamed discuss the power and necessity of technological standards.
• “For AI, we have to have guardrails and protections... and we have to ensure that there’s some degree...that there’s some human input.” (C, 18:12)
• Standards enable safety, consumer trust, and effective governance across the ecosystem.

8. Risk and Adrenaline: Lessons from Cliff Jumping (22:22 – 26:14)

• Hamed shares his thrill-seeking side, describing cliff jumping as both a literal and metaphorical leap: “The moment before you decide to jump is one of the most intense mind Fs...but the feeling of exhilaration and the rush is unlike anything else.” (C, 23:05)
• Parallel to adopting innovation: “In everything in life—starting a company, getting married, having a child...”
• The difference between virtual and physical experience: “AI will not be able to give you that...experience because it won’t feel real.” (C, 25:27)

9. Final Reflections & Call to Action (27:18 – 28:15)

• Hamed’s parting words sum up the momentous opportunity facing healthcare and humanity:

  “We’re at a moment in history unlike anything…and everyone says that, but this shit is as real as it gets. You’re not going to be able to stop this. Think positive…Embrace this moment. There will never be anything like it...develop it, to improve mankind, get us to other planets, maybe transplant souls, create new fragrances, experience things you didn’t have the guts to do. Jump off a cliff and ball it out, baby.” (C, 27:18 – 28:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Early in Clinical Informatics:
  “Pretty much my whole career has been involved in clinical informatics...I have trademarked the name the AI MD…So when it comes to tech and healthcare, I am your man.” — Hamed Abbaszadegan, 02:15 – 03:25

• On Societal Shifts Around AI:
  “Trust with AI is also very quick because people are getting personal experiences…the couple generations below, they don’t care really about privacy. They care about experience, convenience.” — Hamed, 06:41 – 07:05

• On the Vision for Personalized, Preventive Healthcare:
  “What if I could bio simulate every single possible scenario that leads to every single possible known disease…and then create a plan customized to you that prevents it all? That’s why I say we can live to be 120, probably with ease, assuming you want it.” — Hamed, 08:26 – 09:00

• On AI’s Speed Compared to the Internet:
  “If it took the Internet 20 years or so for us to adjust as a society...This is going to happen a lot faster.” — Ed Gaudet, 06:08

• On Living Boldly:
  “The moment before you decide to jump is one of the most intense mind Fs...but the feeling of exhilaration and the rush is unlike anything else, and in a snap of a finger, you hit the water.” — Hamed, 23:05

• Parting Wisdom on AI’s Trajectory:
  “You’re not going to be able to stop this. Think positive…Embrace this moment. There will never be anything like it.” — Hamed, 27:18 – 28:15

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:15] – Dr. Abbaszadegan’s background and emergence as “The AI MD”
• [04:13] – Conference takeaways: optimism and AI’s positive momentum
• [06:08] – AI change vs. the internet revolution: Speed and trust
• [08:26] – The power of personalized, predictive care through AI and data
• [10:07] – Deep speculation: the science (and fiction) of measuring the soul
• [17:44 & 18:12] – Standards in AI: Why guardrails and governance matter
• [22:24] – Cliff jumping and the parallels to innovation
• [27:18] – Call to action: embrace risk, seize the AI opportunity

Summary Tone

High-energy, humorous, and insightful, with a conversational style. The hosts and guest shift easily from technical depth to playful speculation, always returning to the serious mission of advancing and using AI in healthcare to improve lives.

Further Resources

• Find Dr. Abbaszadegan:

  • Instagram: @theaimd
  • Website: theaimd.ai
  • LinkedIn: Hamed Abbaszadegan

• For More on Patient Safety and Healthcare Innovation:

  • www.censinet.com

“Jump off a cliff and ball it out, baby.” – Dr. Hamed Abbaszadegan (27:45)