In a recent interview on the YouTube channel "Moonshots," Elon Musk made headlines by discussing South Korea's declining birthrate and suggested that North Korea would not need to invade due to this demographic issue. He then posited that within three years, Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, would be capable of performing surgeries better than human doctors, implying that aspiring medical students may not need to pursue traditional education in medicine anymore. This statement has sparked conversation about the implications of AI and robotic surgery in the healthcare sector.

Initially, skepticism surrounded Musk's assertions, with many considering them unrealistic or simply hype. However, advancements in surgical robotics and AI diagnostics have been noteworthy. Surgery robots, such as the da Vinci system, have demonstrated capabilities that rival the precision of human surgeons, raising the possibility of replacing human intervention with intelligent systems. The progress made by research teams, such as Johns Hopkins, has shown that robots can successfully conduct laparoscopic surgeries without human aid, pointing towards a future where AI could play a significant role in healthcare.

The shift in the author's perspective indicates a growing acceptance of the potential for AI in the medical field, focusing on the development of machines that can perform specific tasks traditionally held by human doctors. The conversation pivots towards redefining the role of medical professionals, suggesting that while complete replacement might not occur, the division of responsibilities will likely evolve, leading to machines handling precision tasks previously reliant on human skill.