5 most prominent applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare

The promise of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the healthcare industry is huge. Forbes magazine just had an article summarizing the 5 most prominent and potential AI advances for this field.


1. Surgery with support from robots with AI technology

The robot, which is worth an estimated $40 billion to the healthcare industry, can analyze a variety of data, from pre-medical records to the tools needed during surgery. Robotic applications can help reduce patient hospital stay by 21%. Robotic-assisted surgeries are also considered “minimally invasive,” so patients do not need time to recover from major injuries.

Through AI, robots can use data from previous surgeries to inform new surgical techniques. Positive results are particularly promising. A study of 379 orthopedic patients found that AI-assisted robotic procedures caused five times fewer complications than surgeon-only surgeries.



Robots have just been used for the first time in eye surgery, and the most advanced surgical robot, Da Vinci, allows doctors to perform many complex procedures, with better control than conventional methods. Cardiac surgeons assisted by Heartlander, a miniature robot, can perform heart surface therapy through a small incision in the chest.


2. Virtual nurse assistant

From interacting with patients, educating patients, to delivering the most effective care, virtual nurse assistants can save the healthcare industry $20 billion a year. Because virtual nurse assistants are available 24/7, they can answer questions, monitor patients, and provide answers quickly. Most virtual nursing assistant applications today allow patients and medical staff to communicate more frequently between hospital visits, and avoid unnecessary patient hospitalizations or visits. . Care Angel virtual nurse assistant can also check health through voice and AI.

3. Support clinical diagnosis

Using AI to diagnose patients is still in its early stages, but there are already many interesting applications. Stanford University research tested an AI algorithm to detect skin cancer, and it performed at a human-like level. A Danish AI software company tested a deep learning program by letting computers eavesdrop on people making emergency calls. The algorithm analyzes speaker content, voice, background sounds and detects cardiac arrest with a 93% success rate, higher than the 73% performed by humans.



Baidu Research recently announced results of early tests of a deep learning algorithm indicating that it can outperform humans in identifying breast cancer metastases. British Prime Minister Theresa May said the AI ​​revolution will help the British National Health Service (NHS) predict who has early-stage cancer, ultimately preventing thousands of cancer-related deaths next year. 2033. The algorithm examines medical records, habits, and genetic information pooled from medical charities.

4. Helps reduce workload and administrative tasks

Another way AI can impact healthcare is by automating administrative tasks. It is expected that this can help save 18 billion USD for the healthcare industry because machines can help doctors, nurses and many other employees save time processing work. Technology like voice-to-text translation can help organize test results, prescribe medications, and write chart notes. One example of using AI to support management tasks is the partnership between IBM and the Cleveland Clinic. IBM's Watson supercomputer is used to mine big data, helping doctors provide more effective and personalized treatment experiences.

5. Image analysis

Currently, image analysis takes a lot of time for medical staff. But a research team led by MIT University has just developed a machine learning algorithm capable of analyzing 3D scans 1,000 times faster than currently possible. Such an immediate assessment can provide the operating physician with an important source of information. AI is also expected to improve the next generation of X-ray tools that do not rely on tissue samples. Image analysis using AI can also assist patients in many remote areas where there is no easy access to healthcare providers. Medical calls can also be effective because patients can use their phone cameras to send photos of scratches and rashes to determine what care is needed.

In the complex world of healthcare, AI tools can assist healthcare workers in providing services more quickly, diagnosing problems and analyzing data to identify trends and relevant genetic information. can be dangerous for a certain patient. Saving a few minutes means saving more lives. Therefore, AI and machine learning technology can change not only the medical industry but also the lives of individual patients.