At a METal Office Hours session, my friend Ken Rutkowski made a point about AI that I now use in every health talk: AI should be your co-pilot, not your pilot. Another member put it in gym terms. Some men lift everything themselves, some use a spotter, and some sit in a chair while the machine moves the weight and wonder why they are not getting stronger. Use the spotter.
That is exactly how men should use AI for their health.
Where AI helps
- Before a visit. Turn a vague worry into clear questions for your doctor.
- After a visit. Explain a lab result or a term in plain English, then confirm with your doctor.
- Planning. Build a walking plan, a grocery list or a sleep routine you will actually follow.
A safe prompt to try
I am a man in my [age]s seeing my doctor for [reason]. Give me the 5 most useful questions to ask, in plain language. Do not diagnose me. Tell me which symptoms would mean I should get care right away.
Where AI is the wrong pilot
- Emergencies. Chest pressure, stroke signs or trouble breathing: call 911, do not type. The list.
- Diagnosis. AI can sound sure and still be wrong. Your doctor examines you. A chatbot cannot.
- Privacy. Do not paste your name, date of birth, insurance ID or full medical records into a public AI tool.
The real problem is not the technology
A 2023 Cleveland Clinic survey found that 44% of men do not get a yearly physical, even though 81% say they live a healthy lifestyle. AI will not fix that by itself. It can lower the barrier: help you write the questions, find what screenings you are due for, and book the visit. Then you still have to show up.
I write about this shift for patients in my books, including Pivot or Perish. Start simple today: check what screenings you are due for with my free checkup list, then let AI help you prepare the questions.
Want a bigger circle? I meet with men most Saturdays at METal, a community for men in media, entertainment, technology, arts and leadership founded by my friend Ken Rutkowski. That link is my personal guest and referral link.
I speak on this to men's groups, companies and conference stages. Book me to speak, or read more at https://www.HarveyCastroMD.com.