Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare

Big data and machine learning are having severe disruptive powers on the more traditional processes across most aspects of modern life. All this data is the ebb of the digital revolution.  It could be of great value for behavioural understanding and tailoring products and services to the needs of consumers.  But the value of artificial intelligence in the service of society can be better understood through the digital transformation and the opportunities it is about to unleash in the healthcare system.

There is great optimism that the application of artificial intelligence can provide substantial improvements in all areas of healthcare, from diagnostics to treatment.  AI tools will facilitate and enhance the work of humans, but not replace the expertise of physicians and other healthcare personnel as such.  Already, AI is providing support to healthcare staff with a variety of tasks from improving administrative workflow to clinical documentation and patient outreach as well as specialised support such as in image analysis, medical device automation, and patient monitoring.

There’s even evidence that AI algorithms can outperform humans in certain tasks, for example, in analysing medical images or correlating symptoms and biomarkers from electronic medical records (EMRs), with the characterisation and diagnosis of the disease. The advances in telecommunication, specifically wireless technology and smartphones, have aided the development of on-demand healthcare services and enabled a new form of healthcare delivery, via remote interactions between patients and physicians, available anywhere and anytime.

Currently, the demand for healthcare services is growing rapidly, and many countries are falling short of delivering the most basic services due to a shortage of healthcare practitioners, especially physicians. Healthcare institutions are also struggling to catch up with all the new technological developments in the sector. However, AI can play a significant role in overcoming all these challenges within the parameters of healthcare operation, process and delivery.

In addition, the cost savings that AI can bring to the healthcare system is an important driver for implementation of next-generation healthcare technology. It is estimated that AI applications can cut annual US healthcare costs by USD 150 billion in 2026. A large part of these cost reductions stem from changing the healthcare model from a reactive to a proactive approach, focusing on optimising the productivity of the system rather than placing emphasis on disease treatment.

This is expected to result in fewer hospitalisations, less visits to the doctor, and less reliance on medication. Therefore, going forward, AI-based technology will play an important role in helping people stay healthy via continuous monitoring.  It will also ensure earlier and accurate prognosis, provide tailored treatments, and a more efficient management of the healthcare system.