BSN student awarded Tammy Flake Senior Class Honors Award for research on AI accuracy in heart attack symptom guidance

A young woman with long, straight blonde hair and bangs smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a black, vertically striped top and stands against a plain, light-colored background.

The UNC School of Nursing is proud to announce that senior nursing student Maggie Strother, set to graduate in May 2025, has received funding from the Tammy Flake Senior Class Award Fund through the UNC School of Nursing Alumni Association. This funding will support Maggie’s senior honors project, titled “Evaluating the Accuracy and Bias of Artificial Intelligence Platforms,” which will explore the reliability of large language model (LLM) platforms, such as ChatGPT, in providing guidance on heart attack symptoms.

Maggie’s project will assess how accurately and impartially LLM platforms respond to scenario-based questions about heart attack symptoms, with scenarios reflecting varied demographic factors. By testing these platforms, her study aims to determine whether the general public can rely on AI-driven guidance in urgent situations and provide insights for nursing practice and future research.

Leslie Davis, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FACC, FAHA, FPCNA, Maggie’s thesis advisor, emphasized the importance of her research, stating, “As individuals often delay seeking help when experiencing heart attack symptoms, AI platforms like ChatGPT may offer accessible, round-the-clock guidance. However, prior studies suggest that responses from these platforms may not always be accurate. Maggie’s project is essential to evaluate these AI tools, as accurate guidance could reduce delays in care.”

For more information on the Tammy Flake Senior Class Honors Award and other student support opportunities, visit UNC Nursing Student Support Funds.