Using AI in healthcare has its (moral) limits: The US’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo (pdf) last week warning healthcare providers associated with the program against relying on artificial intelligence to determine patient eligibility for healthcare. The memo stresses that “an algorithm or software tool” such as AI can, for example, be used to help physicians predict how long a patient may need certain services but cannot be used to determine when it’s time to discharge a patient.

It’s a reminder that AI is still not a replacement for human healthcare providers:Physicians and service providers need to reassess a patient’s condition and trajectory of recovery to be able to determine when to terminate their care, which AI and other tech tools are unable to do because they look at a “static” set of information that is publicly available. A study published last year also found that doctors’ intuition — which is based on years of experience and knowledge in the field — remains more effective than AI when it comes to diagnosing patients and predicting the outcome of a condition.

AI simply isn’t flawless — and can actually exacerbate issues of discrimination and bias:CMS’ memo expresses concern that “algorithms and many new artificial intelligence technologies can exacerbate discrimination and bias.” This specific issue comes after a slew of lawsuits as a result of the technology leading to patients being denied coverage by Medicare Advantage (a private healthcare coverage ins. provider), The Register notes.

SIGN OF THE TIMES-Only 3% of businesses in the Middle East are on track to reach their sustainability goals, despite 70% of businesses claiming to integrate sustainability in their business models, according to a Bain & Company survey conducted at the World Governments Summit in Dubai yesterday, reports UAE state news agency Wam. “The gap between ambition and action occurs despite universal agreement on the case for change,” Bain Senior Partner Samer Bohsali said, adding that 90% of executives find the need for more sustainable operations.

It’s not just our region: The same trend holds up on a global level. More than two thirds of large companies have “a bold sustainability ambition with clear targets across environmental, social, and governance aims,” but only a tiny minority (3%) believe they’re on track to meet these targets, Bain found in a separate global survey late last year. The survey pointed to a consistent lack of bottom-up integration of these sustainability goals, which “are set without input from the business units tasked with leading change.”

We now have technology that allows people to control their phones with their tongues:Designed to assist individuals with disabilities, tech manufacturer Augmental released last month its handsfree tongue-controlled trackpad, MouthPad^, according to NBC news. The product, Augmental’s first, includes a retainer-like trackpad chip that’s placed on the roof of the mouth. The chip connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device and detects tongue movements to allow users to scroll, type, make calls, or even play games. While not recommended for use during meals, it’s safe for drinking, promising extended battery life and potential future enhancements such as voice and wheelchair control.

It’s not a novel idea, but it’s the most improved version so far: The MouthPad^ is meant to address the shortcomings of existing similar products, such as bulkiness and a lack of portability, creators Corbin Halliwill, Corten Singer, and Tomás Vega said. The product is similar to the “ Tongue Drive Wheelchair,” released 10 years ago, which is a similar dental retainer embedded with sensors that track the movement of a tiny magnet attached to the user’s tongue to allow people to self-drive a wheelchair.

The core target clientele is individuals with disabilities, but the product has garnered interest from professionals, including mechanics, surgeons, and astronauts, according to NBC. Augmental has spent about two years refining the prototype to ensure functionality, durability, and comfort, with plans for a market release later this year.

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