Using ChatGPT Offline: How Small Language Models Can Aid Healthcare Professionals

Small language models (SLMs) are gaining attention in the field of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) due to their relatively small number of parameters and less resource-intensive nature. SLMs can run on average mobile phones without internet access, making them more practical for specific use cases compared to large language models (LLMs). In healthcare, SLMs hold potential for personalized patient journeys, affordable generative AI, and improved transparency over AI models. They are more interpretable and transparent due to their simpler architecture, which can enhance trust in AI tools. While SLMs have yet to be widely deployed in healthcare settings, big tech companies are actively working on developing and releasing them. However, their deployment will also raise concerns regarding regulations and ethical applications, similar to those for LLMs.