Could an AI ‘death calculator’ actually be a good thing?

Researchers have developed an algorithm, life2vec, that uses Denmark's registry data to predict a person's life course, including the likelihood of premature death. The algorithm, inspired by large language models like ChatGPT, outperformed other predictive models, including those used by the insurance industry. 

The algorithm provides a probability of death over a certain period by analyzing diverse data such as education, salary, job, housing, and health records. The researchers highlight the potential for uncovering new links between seemingly unrelated behavior patterns but express concerns about privacy in an era of increasing predictability in human lives.

For more information see Anjana Ahuja “Could an AI ‘death calculator’ actually be a good thing?”, The Financial Times, January 9, 2024.

Special thanks to Joel C. Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.