With the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, computer-aided processes are becoming increasingly interesting for many industries. Especially in medicine, machine learning and big data can do a lot to save lives.
If we take a look at our current healthcare system, we see that data has become one of the industry’s driving factors – patient files, studies and research results, inventory data and diagnoses. Looking at the progress made in machine learning, Artificial Intelligence can generate meaning from these data streams faster and more efficiently than any human could. In law firms that have a similarly high volume of data like hospitals or other medical facilities, AI is therefore already used today in case analysis. Why not integrate the advantages of Artificial Intelligence into the health sector in a holistic way?
According to a recent study, the market opportunities look good. Frost and Sullivan predict that the AI-supported healthcare sector will be a $6.6 billion market by 2021. Artificial intelligence will not only optimize workflows in hospitals, it will also be of great help in diagnosis and treatment.
Chatbots for medical prevention
Chatbots are becoming more and more interesting for many companies and industries. The times when intelligent consultants were programmed purely for service are long gone. Especially in the health care sector, they can relieve doctors and help the patient to get relief faster.
Bots are already doing their part for a healthier life. They advise on fitness and lifestyle issues and try to make life better and more independent.
Florence – Your Health Assistant (Source: Florence)
Chatbots such as Florence or HealthTap are already advising patients to find the best remedies for common disease symptoms via Facebook Messenger. They list possible medications and recommendations and also offer a direct appointment with the family doctor.
Diagnosis using Artificial Intelligence
Machines recognize faster and more efficient connections which are often hidden from the human eye. Their rational combinatorial approach allows them to be the future in the analysis of disease patterns. This analysis and deduction of abnormalities can lead to significant developments in the health sector.
Google DeepMind at the NHS Expo (Source: DeepMind)
The market’s attractiveness is also demonstrated by Google’s involvement in its DeepMind Health project, which aims to optimize the healthcare industry through Artificial Intelligence. AI prognoses allow physicians to make more accurate diagnoses and to initiate treatment of patients more quickly. An example of how successful this diagnosis can be is found in MIT, which has successfully predicted skin cancer using Artificial Intelligence.
Machine Learning in medical treatment
There are also a number of possibilities for treating diseases. Artificial Intelligence helps physicians and surgeons to be more precise and to choose the best possible individualized measures. Tailored directly to the patient and his or her clinical picture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPXCF5e1_HI
IBM Watson in medicine (source: IBM)
IBM’s Watson proves this already in the successful treatment of patients. The technology giant’s AI system not only analyzes striking patterns, but also suggests the optimal treatment. Watson combines individual data from the patient file with current research results. This means that every patient receives a unique and tailor-made treatment.
In the Massachusetts General Hospital, a group of experts is also working on the topic of prognosis and treatment using artificial intelligence. AI specialist Regina Barzilay and her team use their machine learning skills to revolutionise the medical field.
“Going through it, I realized that today we have more sophisticated technology to select your shoes on Amazon than to adjust treatments for cancer patients.” – Regina Barzilay
These are just some of the areas where artificial intelligence is changing the medical sector. In the future, physicians will not only have to be specialists in their field of expertise, but also competences in data mining and data management will become a central part of their daily work life, in order to make optimal use of the AI-supported sections of hospitals and medical practices. If the development continues like this, artificial intelligence can be called the stethoscope of the 21st century without hesitation.
