Happy post-election day to all those who celebrate!

Maybe you're the type who eagerly awaits each wave of results, or maybe it's something you've already forgotten about. Regardless, pat on the back to everyone who made the time to turn in a ballot. 

Now... we might make you question the way you formed your decisions -- especially if you asked ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok for elections information.

Today the University of Washington announced the results of a study looking at the potential influence artificial intelligence can have on our political decision making. 

It’s something that’s coming up a lot these days as AI becomes more prevalent. So we want to know what exactly this new study found - and if we should be worried about the results. 

Guest:
Jillian Fisher, lead author of the study.

Related stories: 
Could AI tilt the outcome of elections? - The Economist
How artificially-generated content could dominate the 2026 campaign - The Boston Globe

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Happy post-election day to all those who celebrate!
Maybe you're the type who eagerly awaits each wave of results, or maybe it's something you've already forgotten about. Regardless, pat on the back to everyone who made the time to turn in a ballot.&nbsp;
Now... we might make you question the way you formed your decisions -- especially if you asked ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok for elections information.
Today the University of Washington <a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2025/08/06/biased-ai-chatbots-swayed-peoples-political-views/">announced the results of a study</a> looking at the potential influence artificial intelligence can have on our political decision making.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s something that&rsquo;s coming up a lot these days as AI becomes more prevalent.&nbsp;So we want to know what exactly this new study found - and if we should be worried about the results.&nbsp;
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Jillian Fisher, lead author of the study.</li>
</ul>
Related stories:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/31/could-ai-tilt-the-outcome-of-elections">Could AI tilt the outcome of elections? - The Economist</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/29/nation/ai-approved-this-message-how-2026-may-be-first-election-where-artificially-generated-content-is-inescapable/">How artificially-generated content could dominate the 2026 campaign - The Boston Globe</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Today the University of Washington announced the results of a study looking at the potential influence artificial intelligence can have on our political decision making.   It’s something that’s coming up a lot these days as AI becomes more prevalent, so we want to know what exactly this new study found - and if we should be worried about the results. 

Making political decisions with the help of voter guides, pamphlets and... ChatGPT?

These days people are using AI chatbots for everything. 

These chatbots have a wealth of information at their metaphorical fingertips. But the accuracy of the information that they offer us is, well, questionable.

But it makes sense why some people turn to AI for medical advice.

They’re usually free, which gives them an upper hand when healthcare in the United States is so expensive. 

They’re also easy to access, so people can get their questions answered immediately, instead of waiting for an opening at their doctor’s office. 

And they’re trained to be empathic, which is especially appealing to patients who don’t feel valued in medical settings. 

In this "Ask a Doctor" segment, we explore the world of health advice and chatbots with two medical professionals. 

Guests: 
Angad Singh is a family medicine physician. He's also an Associate Chief Clinical Information Officer and Clinical Associate Professor at UW Medicine.
Danielle Bitterman is an assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Lead for Data Science and AI at Mass General Brigham.

Related links:
A.I. Chatbots Are Changing How Patients Get Medical Advice - The New York Times
How to Use ChatGPT for Health Advice | Right as Rain
Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows - The New York Times

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

These days people are using AI chatbots for everything.&nbsp;
These chatbots have a wealth of information at their metaphorical fingertips. But the accuracy of the information that they offer us is, well, questionable.
But it makes sense why some people turn to AI for medical advice.
They&rsquo;re usually free, which gives them an upper hand when healthcare in the United States is so expensive.&nbsp;
They&rsquo;re also easy to access, so people can get their questions answered immediately, instead of waiting for an opening at their doctor&rsquo;s office.&nbsp;
And they&rsquo;re trained to be empathic, which is especially appealing to patients who don&rsquo;t feel valued in medical settings.&nbsp;
In this "Ask a Doctor" segment, we explore the world of health advice and chatbots with two medical professionals.&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Angad Singh is a family medicine physician. He's also an Associate Chief Clinical Information Officer and Clinical Associate Professor at UW Medicine.</li>
<li>Danielle Bitterman is an assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Lead for Data Science and AI at Mass General Brigham.</li>
</ul>
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/well/ai-chatbot-doctors-health-care-advice.html">A.I. Chatbots Are Changing How Patients Get Medical Advice - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/health/ai-chatbot-health-advice">How to Use ChatGPT for Health Advice | Right as Rain</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/well/chatgpt-health-advice.html?campaign_id=9&amp;emc=edit_nn_20260211&amp;instance_id=170910&amp;nl=the-morning&amp;regi_id=287280427&amp;segment_id=215096&amp;user_id=e841d37b3a7003ad9c936962fd376710">Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows - The New York Times</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

People are leaning on AI chatbots for everything... including health advice. We sit down with two doctors to talk about this trend.

Ask a Doctor: Why go to the doc when you could use a chatbot?

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest:
Jane C Hu - journalist and host of City Cast Seattle

Related stories: 
City Council weighs in on mayor’s pick for Seattle’s highest-paid job - Seattle Times
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026: What it takes to rent your home on Airbnb - Seattle Times
Why ‘No Right Turn on Red’ Signs Are Multiplying. Plus, Seattle’s Best Places To Cry and Criminal Drones - City Cast Seattle
Murals by henry bring joy to Seattle, but it took decades to get there - KUOW

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Jane C Hu - journalist and host of City Cast Seattle</li>
</ul>
Related stories:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/city-council-weighs-in-on-mayors-pick-for-seattles-highest-paid-job/">City Council weighs in on mayor&rsquo;s pick for Seattle&rsquo;s highest-paid job - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-fifa-world-cup-2026-what-it-takes-to-rent-your-home-on-airbnb/">Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026: What it takes to rent your home on Airbnb - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://seattle.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-no-right-turn-on-red-signs-are-multiplying-plus-seattles-best-places-to-cry-and-criminal-drones">Why &lsquo;No Right Turn on Red&rsquo; Signs Are Multiplying. Plus, Seattle&rsquo;s Best Places To Cry and Criminal Drones - City Cast Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-s-murals-by-henry-bring-joy-but-it-took-decades-to-get-there">Murals by henry bring joy to Seattle, but it took decades to get there - KUOW</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/anna-boiko-weyrauch"></a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Front Page: the drama behind Seattle's next City Light CEO, why Washington is moving away from right on red, and more

In 1999, student journalists at Garfield High School heard a rumor. It was about a beloved teacher named Tom Hudson. 

He taught biology. He ran a popular outdoors program. And, according to the rumor, he sexually abused students. 

The journalists broke the news of these allegations for their school newspaper…. And chaos unfolded. 

The reporters faced pressure to step down from the paper. Their schoolmates turned on them. Their teacher was placed on leave. 

And, just a few months after everything blew up, Mr. Hudson died by suicide.  

“Adults in the Room” is a new series from KUOW that explores the questions that went unanswered 27 years ago: Did Mr. Hudson really abuse these students? Or did these young journalists act irresponsibly, at the expense of a teacher’s life? 

Guests: 
Isolde Raftery is a managing editor at KUOW. She's also the host of “Adults in the Room" and 


one of the student journalists who broke the news on these allegations at Garfield. 

Related links: 
KUOW - Focus: Adults in the Room
KUOW - Two Seattle girls learn a secret at their high school. Their lives change forever
KUOW - In 'Adults in the Room,' a KUOW investigative journalist re-reports the story that's haunted her for nearly three decades

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

In 1999, student journalists at Garfield High School heard a rumor. It was about a beloved teacher named Tom Hudson.&nbsp;
He taught biology. He ran a popular outdoors program. And, according to the rumor, he sexually abused students.&nbsp;
The journalists broke the news of these allegations for their school newspaper&hellip;. And chaos unfolded.&nbsp;
The reporters faced pressure to step down from the paper. Their schoolmates turned on them. Their teacher was placed on leave.&nbsp;
And, just a few months after everything blew up, Mr. Hudson died by suicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Adults in the Room&rdquo; is a new series from KUOW that explores the questions that went unanswered 27 years ago: Did Mr. Hudson really abuse these students? Or did these young journalists act irresponsibly, at the expense of a teacher&rsquo;s life?&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Isolde Raftery is a managing editor at KUOW. She's also the host of &ldquo;Adults in the Room" and&nbsp;
one of the student journalists who broke the news on these allegations at Garfield.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/focus">KUOW - Focus: Adults in the Room</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.kuow.org/stories/two-girls-learn-a-secret-at-their-high-school-their-lives-change-forever-episode-1-adults-in-the-room">KUOW - Two Seattle girls learn a secret at their high school. Their lives change forever</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.kuow.org/stories/in-adults-in-the-room-a-kuow-investigative-journalist-re-reports-the-story-that-s-haunted-her-for-nearly-three-decades">KUOW - In 'Adults in the Room,' a KUOW investigative journalist re-reports the story that's haunted her for nearly three decades</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

“Adults in the Room” is a new KUOW series that goes back to Garfield High School in the late 90s, when student journalists reported on allegations of sexual abuse by a teacher.

Making political decisions with the help of voter guides, pamphlets and... ChatGPT?

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