Inside the Mind of the “Guinea Pig Generation” and the Future of AI in Healthcare
In this episode, Dr. Rishad sits down with Dr. Adam Carewe, a physician-turned-healthtech innovator who believes we are the “guinea pig generation” in modern medicine. From his beginnings as a college basketball player and math enthusiast to becoming Chief Medical Information Officer at Kaiser Permanente, Adam shares his journey into the world of healthcare technology and startups.
Together, they explore the intersection of medicine, technology, and uncertainty — discussing the limits of what doctors know, the rise of AI-assisted diagnostics, and the ethical challenges of over-testing in modern healthcare. Adam also reflects on his leap from a secure medical leadership position into the startup world, and why he believes the future of medicine lies in automating the routine to preserve the human.
With humility and candor, Adam opens up about mental vs. physical health, longevity hype, and what he’d tell his younger self about taking risks and following instinct.
Key Highlights:
🧬 The Guinea Pig Generation: Why today’s patients and physicians live in an era where data grows faster than understanding. 📊 From Equations to Empathy: How Adam’s background in math and exercise science shaped his systems-thinking approach to patient care. 🤖 The AI Physician Debate: When AI might safely assist or even replace parts of clinical decision-making. 🧠 Mind and Body as One: Why the separation between mental and physical health is outdated and counterproductive. ⚕️ Too Many Tests, Too Little Meaning: How modern diagnostics often outpace interpretation, creating anxiety and unnecessary procedures. 🚀 Taking the Leap: Why Adam left a high-level role at Kaiser Permanente to join a startup, and what he’d tell his younger self about courage and timing.
Resources & Next Steps:
📲 Follow Dr. Adam Carewe on LinkedIn for insights on clinical innovation and healthcare tech. 🎧 Explore more episodes of Learning with Rishad for deep conversations at the intersection of medicine, AI, and human behavior. 🧠 Read about AI in clinical decision-making in publications like NEJM Catalyst or PubMed. 💡 Learn more about General Medicine, the startup Adam joined after leaving Kaiser Permanente.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 We Are the Guinea Pig Generation
00:51 Adam’s Early Journey
05:20 When Tech Meets Medicine
08:41 Will AI Replace Doctors?
10:46 ChatGPT & Health Data
15:05 Mind vs. Body
19:17 The Longevity Paradox
24:15 Too Much Testing, Too Little Clarity
29:19 Whole-Body MRI & Overdiagnosis
34:33 Tracking Everything
38:05 Fixing the System
40:36 Final Reflection
