Author: Robert Wachter, MD, A Giant Leap

Wednesday, 8/19/2026
4:00 - 5:00

Dr. Robert Wachter, author of the bestselling book A Giant Leap, shares his insights on how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare. Wachter will share his insights about how AI is rapidly changing what it means to be a patient and a clinician. After two years of research and more than 100 interviews, he landed in a place of cautious optimism – AI holds real promise for making healthcare better and safer, though significant hazards remain.

Robert Wachter, MD is professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Medicine. He is past-president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and was named the most influential physician-leader in the U.S. in 2015 by Modern Healthcare magazine. His work has been covered by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, and others, and he appeared on Freakonomics, Fresh Air, The Rachel Maddow Show, and CBS News Sunday Morning.


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This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.


Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.