According to sensationalist reporters we’ll soon be living in an age where diseases will be a thing of the past thanks to AI nanobots. But how close are we? Let’s bust some myths here.
Andrea Koncz
Key Takeaways

AI nanobots promise a future where diseases could become obsolete, thanks to early disease detection, treatment at a cellular level, and enhancement of physical and cognitive abilities – according to the picture painted by sci-fi writers.

We have significant progress on the micro-level, but the nanoworld is still further away, although we see some progress in areas like nanomedicine.

Despite the exciting possibilities, AI-equipped nanobots in our bloodstream are at least a decade (if not more) away due to technological, biocompatibility, ethical, and regulatory challenges.

Disease, noun [archaic]: A historical term used to describe various physical and mental ailments that affected organisms, primarily humans, in an era before the advent of comprehensive nanomedical and genetic interventions. In the technologically primitive past, diseases were common causes of discomfort, dysfunction, and mortality, often requiring medical treatment and care. Modern advances and nanobots in medicine have rendered this term obsolete, as conditions previously classified as diseases are now either preventable or entirely curable at the molecular level.

Are we on the brink of a brave new world where diseases are just thrilling concepts from ancient history? After all, we are living through an AI revolution and nanotechnology captures our imaginations, it’s a natural expectation that these two fields will converge. The integration of AI and nanotechnology is seen as the next frontier, promising a future where AI-powered nanobots operate at a molecular level, transforming everything from healthcare to material science.

If we wonder what such AI-powered nanobots could do for us, we find a list of mindblowing possibilities.
Diseases are unknown, death is an archaic term

According to sci-fi novels and sensationalist reporters, we’ll soon be living in an age where diseases will be a thing of the past with nanobots continuously monitoring the body’s internal environment for early signs of diseases, such as cancer, infections, or autoimmune disorders. They could detect anomalies at the cellular level long before symptoms manifest, allowing for early intervention.

If our nanobots send an alert about cancerous cells, we’d have no reason to worry. Our doctor would quickly design the suiting drugs that nanobots administer directly to targeted areas, increasing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects.

In this new world, nanobots could be programmed to repair genetic mutations or defects in situ, cure genetic diseases, or enhance physical or cognitive abilities. We would be offered neural enhancement: nanobots could interface with the nervous system, enhancing cognitive functions like memory, learning, and processing speed.

Aging would be obviously unknown: nanobots could repair or replace aged cells and tissues. They could also promote regeneration, healing injuries, and wounds at an accelerated rate. We would be in top shape as our nanoscale allies would be detoxifying our bodies, regulating metabolism, and helping in maintaining optimal body weight and nutrient balance.

And our stellar form would not only be physical: by monitoring and adjusting neurochemical levels, nanobots could help in managing mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, potentially providing alerts or interventions during mental health crises.

Not to mention the fact that if needed, nanobots could enhance our strength and endurance, or even provide capabilities like underwater breathing or enhanced sensory perception.
Are we there yet?

Nanomedicine is an innovative field where nanotechnology is applied to healthcare. It leverages the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale (10^-9 meters), which often exhibit different physical, chemical, or biological characteristics compared to the same materials at a larger scale. This nanoscale is also similar to the scale of many biological mechanisms in the human body, allowing nanoparticles and nanomaterials to potentially cross natural barriers and interact with DNA or small proteins.

This is an intriguing segment, with some very hands-on progress: according to the Nanomedicine European Technology Platform, there are over 80 marketed products, ranging from nano-delivery and pharmaceutical to medical imaging, diagnostics and biomaterials.

The first nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems are already on the market, others are in clinical trials or, by far the largest part, are under development. Another highly attractive area of nanomedicine is diagnostics at nanoscale.

The aim is to identify a disease at the earliest possible stage. Already today artificial skin, bone, and cartilage are in an advanced stage of development and partly already on the market.

In the past two decades, many great minds labored to get us closer to nanobots, and we have great concepts, like the blood-clotting Clottocytes, oxygen-carrying Respirocytes, or Microbivores, also known as nanorobotic phagocytes, that act as artificial white blood cells.
medical specialties TMF

Nanomedicine may be in our sight, AI nanobots are not

A future without aging, diseases, and mental problems is fascinating, no wonder AI nanobots make so many of us excited. But if you ask me how close we are to this health utopia, I’ll be the bearer of bad news: I think we are not close at all.

The concept of AI-equipped nanobots in our bloodstream remains far from realisation due to a variety of scientific, technological, and ethical challenges. Here are five reasons why we don’t have such technology today and why it’s unlikely to be developed within the – at least – next decade.

Technological Limitations:

Creating nanobots equipped with AI that can safely and effectively operate in the human bloodstream involves immense technological challenges. This includes miniaturizing components to a nanoscale while ensuring they have enough power to operate and communicate. We currently only have existing examples on a microscale. As of now, we lack the necessary technology to build and power such tiny, sophisticated devices.

Biocompatibility and Safety Issues:

Ensuring that nanobots are biocompatible and do not provoke an immune response is a significant challenge. There’s also the risk of unintended interactions with biological systems, such as clotting, inflammation, or accidental damage to cells or DNA, which could lead to serious health consequences.

AI and Robotics Development Stage:

Current AI and robotics technologies are not yet advanced enough to autonomously perform complex tasks inside the human body. AI systems, especially those that would need to operate at a nanoscale, require further development to handle the unpredictable and complex environment of the human body. Plus how would we provide energy for it?

Ethical and Regulatory Concerns:

There are numerous ethical and regulatory hurdles to overcome. The use of such technology raises questions about privacy (such as data collection from within the body), consent, and potential misuse. Additionally, regulatory bodies like the FDA would require extensive testing and trials to ensure safety and efficacy, which is a long and rigorous process. If an insulin pump can be hacked, imagine the level of issues around something in our bloodstream.

Cost and Accessibility:

The development and deployment of AI-equipped nanobots would be extremely expensive. This cost barrier means that even if the technology were available, it might not be accessible to the majority of the population, leading to ethical concerns about equity and justice in healthcare. A blood test is still much more feasible than building nanobots.

Given these challenges, it’s unlikely that we will see AI-equipped nanobots being used in medical applications within the next decade. Advances in related fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and AI are needed before such an ambitious project could become feasible.

Also, if people are afraid of a robot that can take a blood sample, would they allow robots to live inside their bloodstream? I highly doubt it.