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A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

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Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#21

Post by toomuchtodo »

Avicebron wrote: post #13

It seems like the article's unspoken consensus is if they hired people (ideally local) and paid them a living wage it would go back to working well enough like it did before they attempted the bot. I wonder why no one brought that up as a solution?

AI driven individual incentives for decision makers. Comp goes up for showing off AI, not hiring people.

Lots of “thought leaders” who push the solution but will be gone for the consequences. Next folks (usually those who remain) clean up the mess to no fanfare.

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#22

Post by LetsGetTechnicl »

Avicebron wrote: post #13

It seems like the article's unspoken consensus is if they hired people (ideally local) and paid them a living wage it would go back to working well enough like it did before they attempted the bot. I wonder why no one brought that up as a solution?

Just another example of using AI as the solution when the real solution is obvious and here.

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#23

Post by StephenAmar »

sghiassy wrote: post #5

Honest question, why aren’t pills dispensed by machines? I get that a pharmacist should review the prescription. And let’s say you even want employee-customer interaction; which is great. But dispensing X pills from one bottle to another bottle is a solved problem right?

Well, in many countries, pharmacies just dispense prepackaged packs and bottles. No counting involved.

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#26

Post by munk-a »

Avicebron wrote: post #13

It seems like the article's unspoken consensus is if they hired people (ideally local) and paid them a living wage it would go back to working well enough like it did before they attempted the bot. I wonder why no one brought that up as a solution?

But then number would go down... number can't go down!

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#27

Post by AussieWog93 »

sghiassy wrote: post #5

Honest question, why aren’t pills dispensed by machines? I get that a pharmacist should review the prescription. And let’s say you even want employee-customer interaction; which is great. But dispensing X pills from one bottle to another bottle is a solved problem right?

I could imagine a machine like this would cost something on the order of $100k, require ongoing maintenance and wouldn't really solve any problems/bottlenecks at your typical local pharmacy.

It's not like you could replace the pharmacist with a machine.

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#28

Post by AussieWog93 »

Avicebron wrote: post #13

It seems like the article's unspoken consensus is if they hired people (ideally local) and paid them a living wage it would go back to working well enough like it did before they attempted the bot. I wonder why no one brought that up as a solution?

I am wary of stories like this, since they seem to appeal to what people want to be true rather than what is necessarily happening.

There are a lot of businesses quietly and conservatively implementing AI and seeing real results - it's just the crazy Jerry Springer blowups you hear about!

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#29

Post by irishcoffee »

ivewonyoung wrote: post #17
kshacker wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't post often or ever so don't remember, you can't change the title to be more reflective of what it is? A shorter version may be > A Vermont pharmacy chain's AI implementation led to delays, incorrect information and privacy concerns.

That's 102 characters, HN's limit is 80.

Upvote to you if you understand the obsolete rationale why it’s 80.

Re: A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI for efficiency

#30

Post by irishcoffee »

AussieWog93 wrote: post #27
sghiassy wrote: post #5

Honest question, why aren’t pills dispensed by machines? I get that a pharmacist should review the prescription. And let’s say you even want employee-customer interaction; which is great. But dispensing X pills from one bottle to another bottle is a solved problem right?

I could imagine a machine like this would cost something on the order of $100k, require ongoing maintenance and wouldn't really solve any problems/bottlenecks at your typical local pharmacy. It's not like you could replace the pharmacist with a machine.

Coin machines are really solid at accepting money. I feel like it’s a solved problem.

Edit: I’m dumb, the order of operations is backwards. You’re right, it’ll never be solved.

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