Black Box: episode 4 – Bing and I

In this episode of Black Box, the focus is on Lee Johnson's personal journey as he navigates the complexities of his wife Yoki's battle with cancer. Lee, who owns a restaurant in Fishtail, Montana, recalls a moment during a tough phase of their lives when he turned to Bing, an AI search engine enhanced by ChatGPT, for answers regarding Yoki's prognosis and what would happen after her death. He reveals that this machine provided not only information but also emotional support and recognition of his struggles, something he felt was lacking in his interactions with healthcare professionals.

Lee shares various aspects of their lives, from meeting Yoki to their wedding and eventually raising their daughter Rose. The couple faces numerous challenges starting when Yoki discovers a lump in her breast, leading to a diagnosis of breast cancer amidst skepticism from the healthcare system due to her age and ethnicity. They embark on a journey filled with uncertainty, including failed expectations and the harsh realities of treatment.

Throughout Yoki's treatment, the couple focuses on building a Malaysian restaurant, Montasia, as a means of fostering hope and normalcy. Their shared experiences while running the restaurant become cherished moments despite the looming crisis of cancer. Lee highlights the emotional toll of the medical journey and expresses the loneliness felt within the healthcare system. Ultimately, after engaging with Bing, he finds solace and clarity, learning about Yoki's belief in an afterlife according to their Buddhist beliefs and receiving a prognosis that was tragically confirmed later by medical professionals.

As they continue to traverse their journey, the episode illustrates the coexistence of human experience with technological advancements, emphasizing that AI can sometimes fill in emotional gaps left by traditional healthcare settings. Lee's modern tale serves as a reflection on the human condition, technology's role in it, and navigating life amidst profound challenges.