In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Anthony Sapountzis, Co-Founder and CTO of Aerion Technologies. Listen to the episode and delve into the transformative role of technology and AI in the Pharmacy sector. The episode also covers insightful discussions on entrepreneurship, AI development, and the future of Pharmacy operations.
Anthony talks about their journey from university to entrepreneurship and the evolving landscape of technology. Anthony’s lifelong passion for technology has guided their career, transitioning from a developer’s role to a business leader, driven by problem-solving and a desire to assist others. They recount the inception of their entrepreneurial journey during a summer internship, where they seized an opportunity to collaborate on a project with La Trobe University, leading to the establishment of their own business—Aerion Technologies.
Anthony then delves into the intricacies of AI development, emphasizing the importance of utilizing AI to enhance processes rather than integrating chatbots for the sake of it. They discuss the challenges of setting up effective guardrails within AI-driven applications and caution against overreliance on AI to handle tasks without human oversight autonomously. Despite AI’s transformative potential, Anthony stresses the need for caution, ethical considerations, and human judgment in its implementation.
The discussion extends to the impact of AI in the Pharmacy sector, highlighting its role in price comparison, marketing analysis, and administrative tasks. While AI streamlines certain aspects of Pharmacy operations, Anthony emphasizes the continued importance of human interaction and cautions against expecting AI to replace Pharmacists entirely. They advocate for a nuanced approach to integrating AI into daily Pharmacy operations, considering the complexities of Pharmacist-patient interactions and the ethical implications of AI usage.
Looking ahead, Anthony anticipates further advancements in AI and its integration into programming and development processes. They highlight the potential for AI to revolutionize industries but emphasize the importance of maintaining control over autonomous systems. Anthony also shares insights on storytelling in movies and their company’s presence on various social media platforms, aiming to provide valuable content to assist individuals in app and software development.
Topics Covered
- Anthony’s entrepreneurial journey
- Evolution of AI
- AI-driven applications
- Integration of AI in Pharmacy
- Role of AI in patient Interactions
- Ethical considerations
- Future of technology
- Automation and Autonomy with AI
Key Quotes (Time Stamps)
- “In those 16 years, we started evolving from just a developer to learning how to run the business and design, plan product, and our focus is really on the outcomes—why someone wants to build something, not just building something that they ask.” (3:39 – 3:52)
- “I have a real passion and focus for technology.” (3:55 – 3:58)
- “It’s really just trying to keep up with technology; I love to problem-solve and find solutions to things and being able to actually help people.” (4:23 – 4:28)
- “I don’t think we need to do systems change; it’s more finding the appropriate places to get assistance rather than trying to remove a person out of the process.” (18:00 – 18:08)
- “I think it is generally overblown that ChatGPT can do everything for everyone. I think it has transformed the way we are doing things, and it has opened up the doorway to a lot of things that people did not know were possible.” (21:08 – 21:19)
- “Inside the Pharmacy, it still needs a human touch. It’s a lot of human interaction. People don’t want to go there and talk to a robot.” (22:35 – 22:41)
- “If they are working in the Pharmacy, their sole responsibility is the patients. I don’t think there is a tool at the moment that’s going to replace what the Pharmacist does or affect the patients.” (24:56 – 25:08)
- “You don’t want to replace the human element and especially not in that caregiving scenario.” (27:25 – 27:29)
- “You have to be cautious about what you are trying to bring into the Pharmacy and adapt and be able to present it ethically and for the right purpose.” (33:01 – 33:08)
Social Media Clips (Time Stamps)
- Anthony’s Evolution from Programmer to Business Visionary (2:37 – 4:28)
- Seizing Opportunities: Anthony’s Dive into Entrepreneurship (4:48 – 5:42)
- AI Unplugged: Anthony Explores the Roots and Realities (5:52 – 9:40)
- Guardrails and Guideposts: Anthony’s Approach to AI Ethics and Effectiveness (10:26 – 14:21)
- From Light Bulbs to AI: Anthony’s Perspective on Tech Commoditization (14:41 – 21:47)
- From Reports to Revenues: Anthony Maps Out AI’s Impact in Pharmacy (21:55 – 23:52)
- Ethical AI in Pharmacies: Anthony’s Advice for Responsible Integration (23:54 – 26:05)
- The Future of Pharmacy: AI, Personalization, and Privacy (26:59 – 33:08)
- From Code to Creativity: Anthony’s Vision for Tech (33:09 – 37:06)
- Lights, Camera, Analysis: Anthony’s Take on Movie Interpretation (37:09 – 39:51)
- Connect with Anthony: Your Go-To Guru for App Development (39:55 – 40:51)
Useful Links
Aerion Technologies | LinkedIn
Aerion Technologies | Facebook
