AI (artificial intelligence) is has been around for a while but it has had a massive boost in popularity in the last couple of years. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, “there is no universal definition of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is generally considered to be a discipline of computer science that is aimed at developing machines and systems that can carry out tasks considered to require human intelligence.”
AI can be used in so many different ways. Your clients are likely to be using AI. So, as a nutritionist it is important you have an idea of the benefits and the risks of the technology.
This article focusses on Generative AI which is about the generation of content using AI.
Ways people are using AI for nutrition information
Here are some of the ways AI is being used:
- Clients asking for meal plans
- Recipe ideas
- Advice on diet
- Writing articles
- Writing summaries
This list could go on and on. There are so many possibilities for nutrition clients to use AI. Perhaps as nutritionists we should have play with it so we know what the clients are seeing when they use the technology.
Some of the things I have seen in Generative AI:
- Lots of repetition – menus with chicken most days!
- Very westernised diets – increasing the bias away from the rich, abundance of ingredients and cuisines the world has to offer (not great for biodiversity either)
- Fairly expensive suggestions – quinoa and avocado are regulars
- Advice which is very black and white and doesn’t consider real life barriers
I would encourage you to have a go.
It might sound like I am being negative about Generative AI. There are lots of advantages. However like with any aspect of nutrition, we need to be aware of the environment our clients are making decisions in, the environment that is feeding them information.
Other uses of Generative AI for nutritionists
Generative AI also has its uses when it comes to resource creation, thinking about ideas, getting you over writers block. There are endless possibilities.
Considerations
There are lots of ethical and legal considerations to make. I unpack these more in my workshop on AI (details here). There are also considerations about mental health and isolation. Are you better asking a friend, using your own mind, or connecting with others to help you keep your mind active and keep you connected?
Another consideration is being left behind. Social media has massively changed the way we work, computers more broadly before social media. If you aren’t connecting with the new technology there is a danger you won’t be able to keep up with the moving job market. (That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a job, but some things may be closed to you).
Is this all AI can do?
I know this article doesn’t cover everything about AI. The world of AI is also constantly changing. AI today will be different from AI tomorrow. It’s a challenge to keep up but it’s exciting to see what it will bring (if not a little terrifying too!).
The bottom line
AI is changing the way we work. Whether we use it for our work is up to us but those around us will be influenced by it and we need to be able to understand that influence. We can also be part of the change.
Article written by Registered Nutritionist Aliya Porter without the use of AI.