More than 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health providers in Northern California have just concluded a 24-hour strike. One of their central concerns resonates with anyone working in an industry being disrupted by AI: the fear that artificial intelligence could replace their jobs.
Kaiser has reassured that AI is not taking away jobs from therapists. The company told NPR it does not use AI to make medical or care decisions. But workers say the changes they are already seeing tell a different story.
Licensed clinical social workers are being pulled from triage and replaced by unlicensed staff following scripts or apps handling patient assessments online. Therapists see this as a stepping stone toward AI-driven care.
Is AI actually replacing therapists?
Not yet, according to psychologist Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation at the American Psychological Association. In an interview with NPR, she says no AI solution currently exists that can replace human-driven therapy or mental health care.
Where AI is being used, it’s mostly handling paperwork. Think billing, updating health records, and other administrative tasks that eat into a therapist’s day. That’s arguably a good thing, giving healthcare providers more time to focus on patients.
Should you be worried about the AI tools your provider might be using?
Dr. John Torous, a psychiatrist and director of digital psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, notes that many AI tools entering mental health care are promising but not yet thoroughly tested.
Some tech companies are already building AI chatbots for patient triage and assessments. With little regulation in place, Torous says mental health practitioners need to stay ahead of the curve, learning how these tools work and pushing back on ones that aren’t safe or effective.
The nurses who joined the strike share those concerns. Katy Roemer, a Kaiser nurse, put it plainly in her AP interview: “Is AI going to benefit patients? Is AI going to benefit the people that work for Kaiser Permanente? Or is AI going to benefit the bottom line of the corporation?”
Perplexity
We recently saw Microsoft launching Copilot Health and Perplexity entering the health market with its own Perplexity Health offerings. It’s clear that AI is here to stay, and it will disrupt most industries. The question is whether health systems will use it to genuinely support patients, or simply cut costs.
Google Maps has a long list of hidden (and sometimes, just underrated) features that help you navigate seamlessly. But I was not a big fan of using Google Maps for walking: that is, until I started using the right set of features that helped me navigate better.
Add layers to your map
See more information on the screen
Layers are an incredibly useful yet underrated feature that can be utilized for all modes of transport. These help add more details to your map beyond the default view, so you can plan your journey better.
To use layers, open your Google Maps app (Android, iPhone). Tap the layer icon on the upper right side (under your profile picture and nearby attractions options). You can switch your map type from default to satellite or terrain, and overlay your map with details, such as traffic, transit, biking, street view (perfect for walking), and 3D (Android)/raised buildings (iPhone) (for buildings). To turn off map details, go back to Layers and tap again on the details you want to disable.
In particular, adding a street view and 3D/raised buildings layer can help you gauge the terrain and get more information about the landscape, so you can avoid tricky paths and discover shortcuts.
Set up Live View
Just hold up your phone
A feature that can help you set out on walks with good navigation is Google Maps’ Live View. This lets you use augmented reality (AR) technology to see real-time navigation: beyond the directions you see on your map, you are able to see directions in your live view through your camera, overlaying instructions with your real view. This feature is very useful for travel and new areas, since it gives you navigational insights for walking that go beyond a 2D map.
To use Live View, search for a location on Google Maps, then tap “Directions.” Once the route appears, tap “Walk,” then tap “Live View” in the navigation options. You will be prompted to point your camera at things like buildings, stores, and signs around you, so Google Maps can analyze your surroundings and give you accurate directions.
Credit: Google
Download maps offline
Google Maps without an internet connection
Whether you’re on a hiking trip in a low-connectivity area or want offline maps for your favorite walking destinations, having specific map routes downloaded can be a great help. Google Maps lets you download maps to your device while you’re connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, and use them when your device is offline.
For Android, open Google Maps and search for a specific place or location. In the placesheet, swipe right, then tap More > Download offline map > Download. For iPhone, search for a location on Google Maps, then, at the bottom of your screen, tap the name or address of the place. Tap More > Download offline map > Download.
After you download an area, use Google Maps as you normally would. If you go offline, your offline maps will guide you to your destination as long as the entire route is within the offline map.
Enable Detailed Voice Guidance
Get better instructions
Voice guidance is a basic yet powerful navigation tool that can come in handy during walks in unfamiliar locations and can be used to ensure your journey is on the right path. To ensure guidance audio is enabled, go to your Google Maps profile (upper right corner), then tap Settings > Navigation > Sound and Voice. Here, tap “Unmute” on “Guidance Audio.”
Apart from this, you can also use Google Assistant to help you along your journey, asking questions about your destination, nearby sights, detours, additional stops, etc. To use this feature on iPhone, map a walking route to a destination, then tap the mic icon in the upper-right corner. For Android, you can also say “Hey Google” after mapping your destination to activate the assistant.
Voice guidance is handy for both new and old places, like when you’re running errands and need to navigate hands-free.
Add multiple stops
Keep your trip going
If you walk regularly to run errands, Google Maps has a simple yet effective feature that can help you plan your route in a better way. With Maps’ multiple stop feature, you can add several stops between your current and final destination to minimize any wasted time and unnecessary detours.
To add multiple stops on Google Maps, search for a destination, then tap “Directions.” Select the walking option, then click the three dots on top (next to “Your Location”), and tap “Edit Stops.” You can now add a stop by searching for it and tapping “Add Stop,” and swap the stops at your convenience. Repeat this process by tapping “Add Stops” until your route is complete, then tap “Start” to begin your journey.
You can add up to ten stops in a single route on both mobile and desktop, and use the journey for multiple modes (walking, driving, and cycling) except public transport and flights. I find this Google Maps feature to be an essential tool for travel to walkable cities, especially when I’m planning a route I am unfamiliar with.
More to discover
A new feature to keep an eye out for, especially if you use Google Maps for walking and cycling, is Google’s Gemini boost, which will allow you to navigate hands-free and get real-time information about your journey. This feature has been rolling out for both Android and iOS users.
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