Written by Noah Sheikh

Since the start of the 21st century, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm.  Millions of people use AI in their everyday lives, like with Siri on iPhones or for recommendations on streaming platforms.  More notably, AI is beginning to make its way into professional settings, with healthcare being at the forefront.  Although still in its very early stages of integration, AI has the potential to revolutionize the field.  Key areas such as diagnostics, treatment plans, and drug development could become immensely more successful with the incorporation of AI into their processes.  However, certain aspects of AI need to be monitored, such as algorithmic biases, data privacy, and other ethical concerns.

Currently, AI is being incorporated into healthcare in a plethora of ways.  Very importantly, it is starting to be used to detect health conditions.  For example, an AI-powered app created by Omdena is being used to predict malaria outbreaks and identify high-risk areas.  In the field of oncology, AI is creating unique cancer profiles for each patient and making personalized treatment plans to provide the highest possible standard of care.  These cases, and many others, highlight the versatility of AI and its applications across many different medical specialties.  Besides direct patient care, AI can be used in other aspects of healthcare.  For one, it can aid in key administrative tasks such as verifying patient eligibility and insurance benefits before appointments.  Additionally, AI can manage and process the large amounts of patient data found within electronic medical record (EMR) systems.  This allows for higher efficiency and for more resources to be allocated towards direct patient care. 

These uses of AI provide substantial benefits that greatly improve the quality of care.  Highly trained algorithms can identify subtle factors in a patient’s test results or medical history that could lead to a diagnosis.  This has a profound impact on people’s lives, as it can reduce misdiagnoses and prevent unnecessary procedures.  Additionally, for many conditions, such as breast cancer, early detection is correlated with improved survival rates.  If AI can identify these conditions at their onset, better preventative measures can be taken, leading to improved health outcomes and healthier communities overall.  This shows how when used on a larger scale, whole communities benefit as a result.  Furthermore, AI can expand access to healthcare.  According to a study, there will be a shortfall of around 11 million healthcare workers by 2030.  In areas where there are not enough healthcare workers to meet the needs of patients, AI can provide basic healthcare services, ensuring that care reaches those who would have otherwise gone untreated.

However, some concerns with AI need to be addressed.  One of these concerns has to do with algorithmic bias.  Before an AI can be used in a professional setting, it needs to be trained, or exposed to large amounts of data that it can then incorporate into future decision-making.  If that data is flawed or skewed in some way, the AI will make erroneous decisions.  Unfortunately, this does happen in the real world and can have dangerous consequences.  There was a study that concluded that “there is a lack of representation among AI developers and Black and brown patients are underrepresented in medical research, the algorithms can perpetuate false assumptions and can lack the nuances that can be provided by a more diverse field of developers and patient data.”  It goes on to pinpoint the reason for this, as the algorithms used in healthcare-related AIs utilize information like medical records or imaging, but don’t account for social determinants like access to healthy food or transportation.  While these variables aren’t as directly related, they do play an important role in one’s health outcomes.  Another concern has to do with data privacy.  AI systems have direct access to patient medical records and other sensitive information.  The proper safeguards need to be put in place to protect this data, as the personal information of millions of people could otherwise be exploited or misused.  Protecting this data will also foster more trust between patient and provider, allowing for better care to be provided.

As we look to the future, the possibilities that AI offers in the healthcare field are exciting.  It can be used in numerous ways to improve the quality of care, such as the early detection of conditions and the customization of treatment plans.  It can also be used on the administrative side of healthcare to submit paperwork for insurance.  However, society needs to implement safeguards and precautions when using AI.  It will take a combined effort from AI developers, governmental agencies, and healthcare providers to ensure that AI provides the highest standard of care for all while maintaining patient privacy.  If this can be accomplished, it will be a major step forward in creating a more effective and beneficial healthcare system.

Edited by Aisha Hassan