Reid Hoffman Advocates Using AI as a Second Opinion in Healthcare

Sun, 03 May 2026 23:06:00 +0200

Reid Hoffman, cofounder of LinkedIn and investor in major tech companies, is now focusing on healthcare through his startup, Manas AI. The company aims to accelerate drug discovery for cancers and rare diseases, reducing the typical decade-long process to just a few years. Hoffman advocates for using advanced AI models as a 'second opinion' in medical practice, arguing that not doing so could be considered a medical oversight. He emphasizes that AI, despite not being specifically trained in medicine, has processed vast amounts of information and can complement doctors' expertise. Hoffman uses AI himself for personal health decisions and encourages doctors to do the same. He also sees potential for AI to support healthcare systems under strain, like the NHS, by serving as a medical assistant for early triage and regulatory guidance. While Manas AI still relies on human judgment to filter AI-generated drug targets, Hoffman believes the technology could significantly expand the discovery