Dr. Raymond Mak
ON THE RECORD · 9 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“To think that our algorithms might be replicating that wisdom of Hippocrates from millennia ago was mind-blowing to us,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak remarked on the coincidence of the AI algorithms replicating Hippocrates' ancient observations.
“It does not factor in the text, knowledge or wisdom that’s aggregated on the internet,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak noted the algorithms do not incorporate internet-based text or knowledge.
“If we can pick up accelerated aging or higher mortality scores early, we might be able to screen for those or identify patients who may benefit from further testing for serious conditions earlier,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak suggested the AI could help identify patients who may benefit from earlier testing for serious conditions.
“In contrast, the mortality risk prediction algorithm is looking at a totally different part of the face,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak explained that the mortality risk prediction algorithm examines different facial areas than the age estimation model.
“I was pretty surprised to find out that we could pick up signs of mortality risk from just a facial photograph,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
A Mass General Brigham study found AI can predict cancer patient mortality risk from a facial photograph.
“So hearing Hippocrates echo over millennia in our algorithms was very eerie.”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak described finding it eerie that Hippocrates' descriptions echoed in the modern AI algorithms.
“It’s looking at the bridge of the nose and the area under the eyes.”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak specified the bridge of the nose and area under the eyes as regions the mortality risk model examines.
“The age estimation algorithm is looking at the area around the temples, the area on the forehead, above the eyes and then what we call the nasolabial fold, the line that connects the nose down to the corner of your mouth,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak described which facial regions the age estimation AI model analyzes.
“our algorithms are trained purely on face photographs and then whether somebody died or not, or their age,”
Dr. Raymond Mak · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-21
Mak explained the algorithms were trained only on face photographs and mortality or age outcomes.