When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often forget it evolves in a European cultural framework like anything produced by Western science. Mainstream media and scientific narratives present A.I. as universal human intelligence. With a drop of critical thinking, there is an overlooked dimension where A.I. is automated European binary logic (AEBL)—a system designed to prioritize European cultural and historical perspectives, often excluding or misrepresenting the global majority.

Computer scientists of African descent have been at the forefront of understanding A.I.’s Eurocentric biases, meaning biases against most humanity, including in medical science. Dr. Joy Buolamwini, the Ghanaian-Canadian-American founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, and Dr. Timnit Gebru, the Ethiopian-American founder of Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, demonstrated that facial analysis algorithms had significantly higher error rates for darker-skinned individuals, especially women of the global majority.

In medical science, it means that software and apps developed to diagnose diseases, like skin cancer, are structurally less accurate in darker skin if not systematically corrected for Eurocentric biases. So, A.I. regulation must address those identified risks to ensure patient safety as the World Health Organization and the European Union recommended.

Eurocentric biases often come from the fact that historical data and narratives privilege monocultural European descendants. Then, artificial intelligence amplifies reality’s distortion. It’s not an error but automated European binary logic that works as designed.

To illustrate this point, I, a writer in science decolonization, asked ChatGPT to give 10 examples of medicines invented by patients from the 19th to the 21st century. The outcome is shocking, as seen from the global majority: ChatGPT lists only European descendants. It even includes experts who aren’t patients, reflecting the expert-centric biases in medicine. For example, ChatGPT highlighted European figures like Australian psychiatrist John Cade and a patient with bipolar disorder who conceptualized the first effective treatment. Meanwhile, it overlooked contributions from the global majority, such as Dr. Rupa Marya, an Indian-American physician, patient advocate, and leading figure in conceptualizing and popularizing the relationship between systemic inflammation and colonial trauma and related holistic treatment.

Critical thinking is essential when using A.I., which means AEBL. So, I asked ChatGPT to include examples for the global majority to uncover humanity’s authentic innovation. The tool still struggles to present patients as empowered. These results highlight the urgent need to address the biases embedded in A.I. systems, particularly as they impact healthcare and patient outcomes.

Addressing these issues requires intentional action. By increasing diverse representation in A.I. development, using inclusive training data, and prioritizing ethical frameworks, we can create systems that serve all humanity. As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s commit to recognizing and rectifying the biases that exclude the global majority from technological progress. For more on science decolonization, visit my blog, Reappearance.

Reference – Chat GPT Queries about patient-powered innovations:

Give 10 examples of medicines invented by patients spanning from the 19th to the 21st century

ChatGPT said:

Patients have historically played a crucial role in medical advancements, often out of necessity, desperation, or personal curiosity. Here are ten examples of medicines or treatments that were invented, significantly advanced, or inspired by patients from the 19th to the 21st century:

19th Century

1. Dr. James Parkinson’s Contribution to Parkinson’s Disease
   Though not an inventor of a medicine, Parkinson, who experienced symptoms of what would later be called Parkinson’s disease, meticulously documented his experiences and those of others. His work laid the groundwork for later treatments.
2. Friedrich Sertürner & Morphine (1804-1817)
   Sertürner, a pharmacist’s apprentice, suffered from chronic pain and experimented with opium. He isolated morphine, the first known alkaloid, leading to modern pain management.

20th Century

3. Aspirin by Felix Hoffmann (1897)
   Hoffmann, a chemist at Bayer, sought to create a pain reliever for his father, who had arthritis. He modified salicylic acid into acetylsalicylic acid, making it more tolerable—what we now call aspirin.
4. Minoxidil for Hair Loss (1950s-1980s)
   Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral blood pressure medication, but patients noticed unexpected hair growth. This led to its reformulation as a topical treatment for baldness (Rogaine).
5. Insulin Treatment Refinements (1920s-1930s)
   While insulin itself was discovered by Banting and Best, patients like Elizabeth Hughes and Leonard Thompson were pivotal in refining insulin therapy through their experimental treatments and feedback.
6. Lithium for Bipolar Disorder (1949)
   Australian psychiatrist John Cade, who had bipolar disorder, experimented with lithium carbonate on himself before publishing his findings. His work eventually led to the first effective treatment for bipolar disorder.

21st Century

7. AZT (Zidovudine) Optimization for HIV (1980s-1990s, Patient Advocacy Impact)
   While AZT was originally developed as a failed cancer drug, HIV/AIDS patients played a direct role in advocating for its adaptation. Activist groups like ACT UP demanded and accelerated drug trials, ultimately shaping modern HIV treatments.
8. Colchicine for Familial Mediterranean Fever (2000s-2010s)
   Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) played a major role in recognizing colchicine’s benefits. Patient advocacy and observational reports drove its FDA approval.
9. DIY Diabetes Biohacking & OpenAPS (2010s-Present)
   Dana Lewis, a patient with Type 1 diabetes, and others developed the Open Artificial Pancreas System (OpenAPS) when commercial insulin pumps weren’t meeting their needs. This led to the emergence of open-source automated insulin delivery.
10. Nitisinone for Alkaptonuria (2010s-2020s)
    Patients with the rare genetic disorder alkaptonuria (AKU) played a significant role in advocating for and participating in trials for nitisinone, a repurposed herbicide, which was later approved as a treatment.

These examples highlight the power of patient innovation, whether through personal experimentation, advocacy, or biohacking, in shaping medical history.

4o

You said:

Your response is Eurocentric. Include examples with patients of African, Asian, Native American, and Native Pacific Island descent.

ChatGPT said:

You’re right—those examples were largely Eurocentric. Here’s a revised list that includes patient-driven medical discoveries from African, Asian, Native American, and Native Pacific Islander communities across the 19th to 21st centuries.

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19th Century

1. Quinine & Indigenous Knowledge (Pre-19th Century, But Impact Continued)
   Indigenous Quechua (Andean) and other Native South American peoples discovered the medicinal properties of cinchona bark to treat malaria. Even though European colonizers extracted and commercialized quinine in the 19th century, Indigenous patients were the first to use and refine its application for fever.
2. Edward Bouchet & Early Sickle Cell Research (Late 19th Century)
   African-descendant patients suffering from an unidentified “peculiar” anemia provided crucial insights that led to the later identification of sickle cell disease. While Dr. James Herrick’s 1910 paper is credited for “discovering” sickle cell, African American communities had long recognized this condition and shared their symptoms with medical practitioners, influencing future research.

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20th Century

3. Hydroxyurea & Sickle Cell Disease (Mid-20th Century Onward)
   African-descendant patients in the U.S. and the Caribbean played a direct role in advocating for hydroxyurea as the first FDA-approved treatment for sickle cell disease. Many patients shared their lived experiences, and community pressure eventually led to research proving its effectiveness.
4. Kampo Medicine Revival in Japan (1940s-1970s)
   Japanese patients, particularly elders and herbalists, resisted the Westernization of medicine and continued using Kampo herbal remedies for chronic conditions. Their testimonies and self-experimentation contributed to the reintegration of Kampo into Japan’s formal healthcare system in the late 20th century.
5. Māori Rongoā Medicine & Modern Pain Management (Mid-20th Century-Present)
   Māori patients have maintained and revitalized Rongoā, traditional plant-based medicine. Some of these remedies, such as Harakeke (flax gel) for inflammation and Kawakawa for pain relief, have influenced contemporary natural health products. Patients advocating for Rongoā helped integrate it into New Zealand’s healthcare landscape.
6. Gila River Pima People & Type 2 Diabetes Research (1950s-1980s)
   Native American patients from the Pima community in Arizona were among the first to document rising diabetes rates. Their participation in studies led to critical insights about insulin resistance and how modern diets impact Indigenous populations. Their advocacy also helped shape culturally responsive diabetes care.

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21st Century

7. The Role of West African Ebola Survivors in Post-Viral Research (2014-Present)
   Survivors of the West African Ebola epidemic contributed to groundbreaking research by sharing their post-viral experiences, which helped scientists understand long-term effects and develop monoclonal antibody therapies. Patient-led advocacy also influenced ethical drug distribution strategies during later outbreaks.
8. South Asian Ayurvedic Contributions to Gut Health Research (2000s-Present)
   Many South Asian patients experiencing digestive disorders turned to traditional Ayurvedic remedies such as Triphala and turmeric long before Western science validated their gut microbiome benefits. Their persistent use and testimonials led to increased scientific interest in herbal treatments for inflammatory bowel conditions.
9. Decolonial Birth Practices & Pacific Island Midwifery Knowledge (2010s-Present)
   Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities have reclaimed traditional birthing and postpartum medicine, including non-pharmaceutical pain management techniques. Patient-led organizations like Nā Puʻuwai have influenced perinatal care policies, bringing Indigenous medicine back into the conversation.
10. Long COVID Research & African Diaspora-Led Studies (2020s-Present)
    African-descendant patients experiencing Long COVID have played a crucial role in advocating for recognition of the condition, particularly in communities that faced medical neglect. Their self-organized studies, symptom tracking, and demand for research funding have significantly influenced global understanding of post-viral syndromes.

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This list highlights the power of patient-led discoveries across cultures and time periods. Many medical advancements would not exist without the knowledge, advocacy, and lived experiences of African, Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander patients. Let me know if you’d like more details on any of these!