Hippocratic AI has launched as the first large language model (LLM) designed specifically for healthcare, securing $50 million in seed funding co-led by General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz. Unlike general-purpose LLMs like GPT-4, Hippocratic AI focuses exclusively on patient-facing applications rather than diagnostics, aiming to alleviate healthcare’s workforce shortages and burnout crisis. CEO Munjal Shah and his team envision the model addressing a variety of use cases, such as providing accessible dietician support, offering lactation consulting, and improving customer service for medical billing. The startup’s emphasis on safety and utility reflects its name, inspired by the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm.”
To validate its models, Hippocratic AI incorporates human feedback from dieticians, nurses, and doctors and tests the models through rigorous certification exams. The AI has already excelled in 114 assessments, including medical role-based tests and bedside manner benchmarks, outperforming GPT-4 in the majority of cases. With a team of healthcare and AI experts from leading institutions and organizations, the startup seeks to distinguish itself by developing purpose-built, safety-first AI solutions for healthcare. These efforts aim to revolutionize patient engagement and operational efficiency while addressing critical staffing gaps in the healthcare system.