Riley Fullerton

Riley Fullerton - Class of 2022

Summer of 2020

The idea for Riley Fullerton’s research project came to him while watching a television report about a pig that Elon Musk had implanted with a computer chip in its brain.
 
The technological pioneer’s plan is to eventually plant chips in human brains to allow them to control computers with their minds. Watching the program, Fullerton thought: Would people even want such a chip implanted in their head?
 
Analyzing 728 responses to a survey he distributed, he discovered both optimism and apprehension. While a vast majority – 78% – said such technology could improve their lives and 58% of respondents were excited about technology’s future, majorities also had concerns. Privacy risks concerned 51% of respondents and 58% said the technology needs to be regulated.
 
On the plus side; “People expressed a lot of optimism in areas of communications and entertainment,” and said it could help many people with their jobs, including nurses and other healthcare workers. On the other hand, “they were asking for stricter regulations in the technology because it’s a little unpredictable at this point,” Fullerton said.
 
His research suggests that regulations may be needed and companies will have to find ways to assure consumers that their safety and privacy are protected if the public is to feel comfortable with continued technological advancements.
 
“My research has broad applications as understanding the general public’s views is integral to the technology’s success or failure,” he said.

Summer of 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a major impact on health care over the last few decades. But is AI actually a good thing? Despite its many benefits, some believe AI could take jobs away from hard-working nurses and other health care professionals in the future.

New Rochelle High School senior Riley Fullerton has many family members who work in the health care industry, so he wondered how this technology affects them. This led Fullerton to conduct an online survey to determine how nurses feel about the possibilities of AI in health care.

“After reading countless articles on AI applications in health care, I designed a survey on Google Forms that would accurately evaluate nurses’ views on AI in their workplace,” Fullerton said. “I sent out this survey to my friends and family who work in health care. And my mentor (New Rochelle research science teacher and Science Research Program Director Jeff Wuebber) posted it on MTurk, a site that pays people to fill out surveys.”

Fullerton found the majority of nurses surveyed believe AI is beneficial to the health care industry and patients. Those nurses who already work with AI, via virtual nursing systems, also claim it makes their job easier.

According to Fullerton’s survey, while the majority of nurses surveyed believe AI is a good thing in some ways, they acknowledge the risks involved. The nurses surveyed believe they will work alongside AI for five or so years before the technology eventually replaces them. This begged the question: Should we invest in more AI and risk a lot of people losing their jobs?

Fullerton shared thoughts on the matter, saying, “With billions of dollars being invested in this technology by hospitals, it is important that we have a proper understanding of how it is affecting our essential workers. In health care, we should view it as an aid or tool, not a replacement for human care.”