## Utah: AI prescribes medication Utah is piloting a program that allows artificial intelligence to autonomously renew patients' medication prescriptions without direct human oversight. This initiative, part of the state's "regulatory sandbox" program, allows businesses to trial innovative products or services with a temporary waiver of state regulations. The Utah Department of Commerce has partnered with Doctronic, a telehealth startup that uses an AI-powered chatbot. Doctronic offers a nationwide service that allows patients to interact with an "AI doctor" for free. Subsequently, for $39, patients can book a virtual appointment with a doctor licensed in their state. However, patients must go through the AI chatbot first to schedule an appointment. This approach raises questions about the reliability and safety of artificial intelligence systems in healthcare, especially in relation to the management of drug therapies and the protection of patient health.