Artificial Intelligence Training in Hebbal

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

What is AI in medicine?

AI in medicine refers to the use of artificial intelligence technology / automated processes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients who require care. Whilst diagnosis and treatment may seem like simple steps, there are many other background processes that must take place in order for a patient to be properly taken care of, for example:

• Gathering of data through patient interviews and tests
• Processing and analysing results
• Using multiple sources of data to come to an accurate diagnosis
• Determining an appropriate treatment method (often presenting options)
• Preparing and administering the chosen treatment method
• Patient monitoring
• Aftercare, follow-up appointments etc.

The argument for increased use of AI in medicine is that quite a lot of the above could be automated - automation often means tasks are completed more quickly, and it also frees up a medical professional’s time when they could be performing other duties, ones that cannot be automated, and so are seen as a more valuable use of human resources.

How is artificial intelligence used in medicine?

For example,Futurism lists the following examples of AI already being used in medicine today:

• Decision support systems - When given a set of symptoms, DXplain comes up with a list of possible diagnoses
• Laboratory information systems - Germwatcher is designed to detect, track and investigate infections in hospitalised patients
• Robotic surgical systems - The da Vinci robotic surgical system, with robotic arms, precise movement and magnetised vision, allows doctors to precision surgery that wouldn’t be possible with an entirely manual approach
• Therapy - AI Therapyis an online course for people struggling with social anxiety
• Reducing human error - Babylon is an online application where patients in the UK can book appointments and routine tests, plus consult with a doctor online, check for symptoms, get advice, monitor their health and order test kits

What does AI mean for the future of doctors?

• As more studies are published and discussions had around the future of AI and automation, distinct sides to the argument do emerge, particularly when it comes to something like medicine.
• The general consensus is that while routine tasks and data collection/entry can and perhaps should be taken on by machines, there will always be a need for the human element of the doctor’s role, in things technology cannot provide - judgement, creativity, and empathy.
• The use of AI on its own may increase efficiency, pairing with AI also improves human performance. “This hybrid model of humans and machines working together presents a scalable automation paradigm for medicine, one that creates new tasks and roles for essential medical and technology professionals, increasing the capabilities of the entire field as we move forward.”