The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Modern technology is disrupting nearly every industry and then some. Just consider the likes of automation, AI, machine learning, big data, predictive analytics and robotics. Artificial Intelligence, in particular, is poised to change the world as we know it. Imagine talking robots that can say, do, understand and listen. Smart homes, wearables, predictive convenience technologies will know when we want our lights on, what shows we want to watch, our fitness levels, and so much more. Applying Artificial Intelligence in healthcare is currently taking the industry to new heights, and holds the promise of a better, healthier future. 

Dr. Daniel Kraft, a Harvard-born oncologist, entrepreneur and healthcare expert, believes that artificial intelligence in healthcare is going to change healthcare delivery and research radically. So much so that we may actually come see AI-powered physicians as the norm. Doctor C-3PO, anyone?

While discussing machine learning, AI, big data, and the internet of things, he had this to say:

“This set of technologies, especially when meshed together, offers a real opportunity to reshape and reinvent healthcare around the planet.”

What is the “reshaping” Dr. Kraft’s talking about? What is the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medicine?

Predictive Analytics and Medical Record Mining

Data management is a huge concern in healthcare — especially the handling of patient records and information. Medical professionals and physicians are, after all, human, and they make mistakes like the rest of us. If and when they miss something important — and it does happen sometimes — it can prove dangerous for their patients. However, such a thing can be easily remedied with an always-on, always-connected data management tool powered by AI.

Google DeepMind Health, for instance, is already being used to scour and mine the vast trove of medical records available to it. The goal is to provide better, faster and more accurate health services. While this particular project is in its infancy, there’s no reason it can’t contribute to some incredible improvements. The Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is already making use of the platform to assist in the betterment of eye treatments.

This shows just how useful an automated or AI-based tool can be when scouring and analyzing medical records. It’s no stretch to believe platforms such as Google’s DeepMind Health will soon be saving lives on the regular.

Personalized Treatment Plans

When a patient has a major issue, physicians come up with a structured treatment plan. When diagnosed with cancer, for example, you lay out a foundation for treatments over the course of a few months to a year. At the end of the plan, you and your physician sit down, assess the current status of your body and ailment and come up with a new plan. It’s sort of a rinse-repeat process, but this is no different than any other health ailment, disease or problem. In some cases, your doctor will simply discern a plan for you and hand it over.

Systems like IBM’s Watson, however, can be tapped into to create and deliver better and more personalized healthcare and treatment plans. Watson has an oncology-themed function that provides clinicians with evidence-backed treatment options for patients.

The result is a more accurate and better-targeted treatment plan that factors in a patient’s medical history, clinical expertise, external research and development and cutting-edge data. This makes it possible for an AI system to come up with an innovative, practical plan that no physician at the time knows about.

Precision Medicine and Genetics

Deep Genomics is a “next-frontier” medicine company that utilizes genetic therapies to improve the lives of its patients. The AI and automation tools analyze huge stores of data that contain medical records and genetic information to identify patterns that can be used to improve treatment. The tools also seek out trends regarding mutations and links to diseases that even the trained and experienced eye might have difficulty spotting.

The result is a computational system that works alongside health professionals and provides them with more detailed information. Doctors will know, for instance, what happened within a cell and when and why DNA was altered by genetic variations, both natural and therapeutic.

Artificial Intelligence can also be used for complete genome sequencing to deliver full-body health scans with the means to spot cancer and other ailments during a medical check-up.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: More Than Meets the Eye

Of course, these are just a handful of applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Other related areas where AI could and will have an impact include pharmaceuticals and the creation of new drugs, remote health assistance, medication management, insurance, healthcare reporting and more.

What about that Android Doctor we hinted at, though? Is there really going to be a Dr. C-3PO someday? Because that’s equal parts amazing and frightening.

In short, the answer is “no” — there likely won’t be a realistic, human-like Android that can handle healthcare tasks anytime soon. But you’ll notice across most of the technologies discussed here that they will be working directly with real medical records, patients and in healthcare settings. That means, for lack of a better phrase, that artificial intelligence will be used to save lives in the near future.

Healthcare will largely be driven by big data, predictive analytics and smart systems like IBM’s Watson and Google’s DeepMind to deliver poignant, accurate healthcare plans and treatment options. We should all be excited because it means better, effective and personalized healthcare for us.

—————————
Looking to consult an artificial intelligence expert or a healthcare specialist? Kolabtree has 5,000+ freelance scientists from MIT, Cambridge University, Harvard University and more. Post your project for free and hire a suitable freelance scientist here.