When we think of AI, what comes to mind? We typically think of self-driving cars, domestic servant robots, the telephone customer service miniboss you have to fight before speaking to a human, or maybe even Skynet – depending on pessimism levels. We don’t often consider that AI is performing quiet and understated revolutions in fields where it really matters: healthcare.
Revolutions that might just save your life one day.
AI Diagnostics for Early-Stage Diseases
One such breakthrough is that AI can now identify diseases that are renowned for their difficulty in early stages. This has been showcased in a report that demonstrated that a new AI algorithm was capable of detecting early-stage metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Researchers – the unsung heroes of the modern age – used the AI system to look at image findings and health records. They were able to successfully identify patients who met the criteria for MASLD. This condition, known as the most common form of liver disease, affects over 4 million residents in the US alone. Unfortunately, MASLD often flies under the radar until it’s far too late.
That’s not all. What makes the findings even more impressive is that – of the 834 patients the algorithm successfully tracked as having the markers for the condition – only 17% (137) actually had the MASLD diagnosis in their record. In essence, this means that this new technology potentially makes identifying this disease a staggering 83% more efficient. Given that 10% of all MASLD patients develop cirrhosis of the liver within 20 years – which itself only has a 2-12 year prognosis – this new technology is one of the biggest healthcare flexes in recent years.
The Bigger Picture
The future application of the algorithm itself in liver diagnostics is a refreshing piece of good news – one that could genuinely save many lives through early detection. But it’s even more impressive due to what it could mean for the world of healthcare as a whole.
The sad fact is that there are a vast number of dreadful diseases and conditions out there in the ether. Many, like cancer, can be treated far more effectively when they’re caught early. Despite this (in the UK for example), only 55% of all cancers are detected early. This is something even the field itself acknowledges is a pretty big issue.
However, with the recent breakthrough, it’s not a huge leap to speculate that AI diagnostic algorithms (just like the one used to detect MASLD) could well be trained to detect different conditions early – such as cancer, diabetes, strokes and heart attacks. It’s possible we could even detect some before they happen, allowing prevention or quick, effective treatment.
Going even further into the speculation, as AI and the internet of things becomes increasingly sophisticated, these algorithms could be combined into a single diagnostics machine. This could essentially create a one-stop-shop illness detection system.
It might sound like something ripped out of Star Trek. But this is the reality of where we could be heading. Preventable deaths cost the world $6 trillion annually. AI diagnostics provide one way to save many lives and put a huge dent into the devastating economical cost.
So, a bit of a win-win then.
Doctor, Who?
But what about the doctors? If AI can spot things that even the best medical professionals miss, then does it mean that healthcare providers might be heading for the chopping block?
Short answer, no.
The longer answer is still no, but things will definitely change. As with pretty much every industry these days, the arrival of AI will likely cause a paradigm shift in the way that doctors conduct their work. AI excels in pattern recognition and data analysis. However, humans bring empathy, intuition, and the ability to personally connect with patients to the table. With illness diagnostics potentially being handed off to artificial intelligence, it frees up a lot of time for doctors to instead focus on treatment plans and patient aftercare – which is where the heart of medicine truly lies.
Of course some doctors may not like AI muscling in on their profession directly. But when it comes to the subject of saving lives, ego cannot and must not be a factor.
Once these hurdles are overcome and AI becomes a mainstay in the medical diagnostics field, it is entirely possible to create a future where AI and humans in the industry work in symbiosis. This could create a powerful duo, one that empowers the healthcare system to become more efficient, kinder, and precise.
And that’s an easy pill to swallow.
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