WSJ Tech News Briefing: AI Scribes Can Boost Your Doctor’s Productivity and Reduce Burnout Rates
Release Date: May 29, 2025

Introduction

In the May 29, 2025 episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing, host Victoria Craig delves into two pivotal advancements in technology: the expansion of satellite internet to bridge the rural broadband gap in America and the deployment of AI scribes in healthcare to enhance doctors' productivity and mitigate burnout. This comprehensive discussion highlights the latest trends, expert insights, and the broader implications of these technologies on consumers and industries alike.

Bridging the Rural Broadband Divide with Satellite Internet

Overview The United States faces a significant challenge with 24 million Americans lacking reliable broadband Internet access, particularly in rural areas. While fiber optic cables remain the gold standard for high-speed connectivity, their extensive installation costs make them impractical for remote locations. As a result, satellite internet has emerged as a viable and cost-effective alternative.

Expert Insights Patience Hagen, a WSJ reporter covering digital advertising and broadband, provides an in-depth analysis of this shift:

• Satellite Viability: "Satellite Internet used to be a lot more shaky. Now it's much better. It's still not nearly as reliable as fiber optic cables, but a lot of states are turning to it because it can be a lot less expensive than laying fiber optic cables out to one remote house that might be miles away from anything else." (02:09)

• Economic Considerations: For ultra-remote areas, fiber installation can escalate to six-figure expenses, which states are typically hesitant to subsidize. Satellite offers a more affordable compromise, enabling broader coverage without the prohibitive costs associated with fiber infrastructure.

Policy Shifts Originally, under the Biden administration, broadband expansion programs prioritized fiber optic deployments unless cost-prohibitive, in which case alternative technologies like satellite were considered. However, ongoing reforms spearheaded by the Commerce Department under the Trump administration aim to make these programs tech agnostic, potentially allocating more funds to satellite providers.

• Impact on Satellite Providers: "The companies that stand to benefit from this are Elon Musk's Starlink, which is a unit of SpaceX and is already providing satellite Internet service, and Amazon's Project Kuiper, a new initiative that isn't providing service yet but is already launching satellites and is already winning government contracts to provide service." (04:15)

Current Status and Future Implications The Commerce Department is in the process of reviewing the proposed reforms, placing broadband offices in a holding pattern. States with pre-existing broadband plans may need to revise their strategies to align with the new guidance, potentially accelerating the adoption of satellite internet solutions.

AI Scribes in Healthcare: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Burnout

Introduction to AI Scribes In the realm of healthcare, ambient listening software—a form of AI— is revolutionizing how doctors document patient interactions. By transcribing conversations and filtering out non-essential chatter, these AI tools streamline the documentation process, allowing physicians to focus more on patient care.

Adoption and Implementation Laura Landrieu, a WSJ contributor, sheds light on the adoption and functionality of AI scribes:

• Current Usage: "Overall AI usage, which includes usage for all kinds of help with diagnostic thinking, getting information and guidelines, it's out there quite a bit. But this is a new and very interesting application of AI, which is what they call ambient listening..." (05:59)

• Deployment: Initially embraced by large healthcare systems and academic medical centers like Stanford Healthcare and the University of Michigan, AI scribes are gaining traction as healthcare consolidates into larger entities seeking economies of scale.

Functionality and Benefits AI scribes provide a 360-degree approach to patient visits:

• Pre-Appointment: The AI aggregates relevant patient data, highlighting past tests and ongoing issues to inform the upcoming consultation.

• During Appointment: It captures key discussions, suggests medical guidelines, and identifies symptoms that may require further testing without overstepping into diagnostic roles.

• Post-Appointment: The AI generates comprehensive notes for the doctor to review, eliminating the need for manual note-taking and significantly reducing administrative burden.

Impact on Physicians "AI is supposedly making the doctor's job easier. And there's been a lot of studies that have shown that it's already reduced burnout. The doctors feel that it's so much more helpful... It's knocked off precious minutes at the end of their workday that they have to look at these notes, create these notes, write them from scratch." (07:42)

Addressing Concerns and Risks While the benefits are substantial, Laura Landrieu acknowledges potential challenges:

• Patient Privacy: "The permission of the patient has to be obtained. It's consent... the patient gets a summary afterwards, which they can look at and say, that's not what I said." (09:43)

• AI Accuracy and Hallucinations: Instances where AI misconstrues information, such as misrecording a prostate examination as completed or misdiagnosing hand, foot, and mouth disease, highlight the need for meticulous doctor review. "There's nothing done until the doctor passes on it. The clinician is the last word." (09:43)

• Data Security: AI scribe technologies ensure that recordings are not stored long-term, mitigating risks associated with data breaches. "The recording is transcribed and checked by the physician, but then it's gone." (10:47)

Future Potential The conversation hints at further integration of AI in healthcare, envisioning a scenario where AI assists not just in documentation but also in preparing for appointments, ongoing patient management, and providing real-time support during consultations.

Conclusion

The May 29th episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing underscores the transformative impact of both satellite internet and AI in their respective fields. Satellite technology is poised to bridge the digital divide in rural America, driven by evolving policy frameworks and the economic advantages it offers. Meanwhile, AI scribes are set to redefine the healthcare landscape by enhancing physician efficiency and tackling burnout, all while navigating the complexities of privacy and accuracy. As these technologies continue to evolve, their integrated application promises to foster more connected and efficient environments for both consumers and professionals.

Notable Quotes:

• Patience Hagen [02:09]: "Satellite Internet used to be a lot more shaky. Now it's much better. It's still not nearly as reliable as fiber optic cables, but a lot of states are turning to it because it can be a lot less expensive than laying fiber optic cables out to one remote house that might be miles away from anything else."

• Patience Hagen [04:15]: "The companies that stand to benefit from this are Elon Musk's Starlink, which is a unit of SpaceX and is already providing satellite Internet service, and Amazon's Project Kuiper, a new initiative that isn't providing service yet but is already launching satellites and is already winning government contracts to provide service."

• Laura Landrieu [07:42]: "AI is supposedly making the doctor's job easier. And there's been a lot of studies that have shown that it's already reduced burnout. The doctors feel that it's so much more helpful... It's knocked off precious minutes at the end of their workday that they have to look at these notes, create these notes, write them from scratch."

• Laura Landrieu [09:43]: "The permission of the patient has to be obtained. It's consent... the patient gets a summary afterwards, which they can look at and say, that's not what I said."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.