Alan and Doctolib: French AI Revolutionizes Our Daily Health
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AI Agents at the Heart of French Healthcare
Artificial intelligence agents, developed by French companies such as Alan and Doctolib, are beginning to integrate into patients' care pathways. These tools, designed to assist in medical decision-making, can sort symptoms, guide patients, and recommend consultations. The ultimate goal is to create personalized "health companions," a promise that raises as many hopes as questions about their effectiveness and safety.
These specialized chatbots are designed to be available at all hours, ready to assist anyone concerned about a symptom or health question. However, their deployment is approached with caution, as an error in this field could have serious consequences.
Alan and Its Assistant Mo
Alan, a French unicorn in the insurance sector, is betting on digital solutions with its virtual assistant Mo. The assistant is being rolled out to assist the company's 800,000 insured members. Mo asks users about their symptoms, medical history, and family background to help them decide whether they should consult a doctor and within what timeframe. It also facilitates appointment scheduling, whether for teleconsultation or in-person visits, and offers personalized prevention advice. Mo can also help resolve insurance or reimbursement issues.
Jean-Charles Samuelian, co-founder of Alan, explained during the company's tenth anniversary in March that Mo aims to become "the central interface" for clients with the healthcare system, acting as the "conductor of their personal health."
Doctolib and Its Parental Assistant
Doctolib, another major player in digital health in France, is preparing a "parental assistant" to help parents monitor their children's health. Already tested by 20,000 parents, this tool will soon be available to all Doctolib users. Mathilde Jaïs, director of the "health companion" offering at Doctolib, stated that the goal is to enable everyone to access medical knowledge, better navigate the care pathway, and be guided toward healthier living.
PaperDoc and Innovation with Gustave
Other startups, such as PaperDoc, are also entering this digital revolution. PaperDoc has created Gustave, a health assistant sold to mutual insurance companies to provide a "health boost" to their clients. Nicolas Gatulle, an anesthesiologist and co-founder of PaperDoc, explains that Gustave helps guide users in the right direction within the healthcare system. Gustave is appreciated for its ability to admit when it doesn't know something and to cite its sources.
Caution Above All
The creators of these assistants emphasize that their tools do not replace healthcare professionals and do not provide diagnoses. They rely on scientifically recognized information sources, such as studies from learned societies, to inform patients and help them make informed decisions, including recommending a quick consultation with a doctor if necessary.
A test conducted by AFP on a real case showed that Doctolib's assistant asked follow-up questions to assess the situation before advising a medical consultation within 24 hours. However, when asked for a diagnosis, the assistant responds that it cannot provide one but can share general information about the observed symptoms.
Towards a Future with Personalized Health Companions
These assistants, whether from Alan, Doctolib, or PaperDoc, are equipped with AI agents to detect risky conversations. Antoine Lizée, an AI specialist and co-founder of Alan, predicts that "in 10 years, we will all have our personal health companion, who knows us, understands our context, anticipates, and acts alongside us."
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