Dr Ignatius Luke Chan from the London School of Business and Finance Singapore examines the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, questioning whether it represents a valuable innovation and collaboration or simply another tech tool
The question that often surfaces is, “What is artificial intelligence (AI)”? Of course, we know a great deal about AI, but what exactly is it? For the sake of this paper, let us define AI as the ability of a machine to communicate, reason, and operate independently, similar to that of a human. That being said, how can it be impactful to healthcare?
Much remains to be discussed regarding the use of AI in diagnosing, treating, and even operating on humans. Still, even in this context, researchers are utilising AI to reduce labour that a human can otherwise perform. This refers to the use of big data and machine learning to support various processes, including administration and monitoring.
While it is evident that AI may offer numerous benefits to medicine, it is also crucial to consider the growing importance of AI applications in this field, which cannot be ignored in its entirety. From the protection of basic rights to the protection of personal data, these are considerations that must be addressed. Ethical considerations and challenges are very real, and since AI deals with big data, there needs to be governance over what can and cannot be used.
In this way, we can then move forward into integrating AI for use in healthcare, bringing healthcare to the next level. Much deliberation has been discussed and proposed regarding what AI can do. Still, similar to all findings, they all point to better outcomes, greater access, and personalised care, as well as reductions in operating costs and enhancements in efficiency.
AI and healthcare examined
So how did this come to be? The COVID-19 pandemic likely accelerated the digital health landscape worldwide, particularly in the Asia region. We observed clinics experiencing increased foot traffic, as well as overworked doctors and nurses, due to the large number of patients seeking vaccinations against the virus.
However, we also witnessed a shift in the healthcare landscape. There was an increase in home doctor visits via a booking system, as well as teleconsulting for non-COVID-19 illnesses, and other systems were in place to reduce interactions between those infected and healthcare providers.
While this was happening in Asia, a dynamic shift in the global healthcare landscape was to follow, as different needs were emerging in various parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. That being said, the sharing of data and knowledge between countries to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus was crucial. This may be where the use and sharing of data come into play. With that, AI emerged, attracting global attention and interest and possibly even posing itself as a potential game-changer to the healthcare industry.
Many are familiar with the DIKA Model, where everything starts with Data. Filter the data, and you will find the information you need. Filter the information, and there is knowledge, with which that knowledge, a decision can be made to perform the correct action based on the data.
In precisely that manner, AI has been helping turn numbers (data) into action. From organising complex medical data, providing real-time updates during both surgeries and recoveries, to assessing critical and vital signs of each patient. What AI is capable of doing is transforming this data into clear insights for practitioners to act upon.
Without a doubt, AI has significantly changed the way healthcare operates, and it has also accelerated much of the medical research, helping researchers with data management and providing assistance in diagnosis. AI can be considered an enabler in the new transformation of digital healthcare systems that we are now witnessing, and that is still evolving.
Through innovation, research, and collaboration, we now see AI helping to transform the landscape, and it is continuing to enhance the industry’s operations. From automation to decision support, AI has now learned how to assist practitioners in their roles, helping patients while significantly reducing time, giving practitioners the ability to solve issues and problems, rather than worrying about administrative tasks.
AI and healthcare conclusion
AI is definitely more than just a tech tool to be used in the healthcare industry. Taking the definition earlier shared in the introduction, “as the ability of a machine to communicate, reason, and operate independently, similar to that of a human”, AI is most definitely capable of that. The success and future of AI in the healthcare industry depend on collaborative work between humans and technology. While it is evident that AI can serve as a catalyst for a better and more efficient system, there is still much fine-tuning to be done before it reaches full operational capacity.
