CIOInsider India Magazine

Artificial Intelligence AI has revolutionized healthcare by hosting a paradigm shift in identifying, treating, and keeping track of patients. By enabling more personalized therapies and generating more accurate diagnoses, this technology advantage is significantly enhancing healthcare research and results. AI not only automates the process but it also helps medical practitioners find disease signs and patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed because of enormous volumes of clinical data. There are still challenges associated with the integration of the AI, and healthcare leaders often make it clear when ever they get opportunities.

Leaders' Perception of Advantages of AI in Healthcare

During the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, and Founder of Biocon Limited said, “Currently, AI is playing a big role in Biology. AI is an iterative, large language. It's based on existing knowledge and data. But living systems don't just rely on existing, iterative information. They have genetic data and genetic memory. That's how birds know where to migrate and how to migrate. We have two types of intelligence that make work and living better. One is AI, and the other is connected to human and intuitive intelligence. In this case, biology has a lot more work. As we are in the digital age today, we will be in the bio-engineering age tomorrow because that's what the future is heading to.”

“Many fascinating research studies have been conducted at the Institute of Theoretical Sciences. Besides, the National Center for Biological Sciences and the work that they're doing on mRNA and RNA in genetics is intriguing. The government is also doing its bit by encouraging industry to support some of these initiatives. We need to focus on three or four Moon shops and get RFPs jointly from industrial research and academic research to pursue some of these goals. Alternatively, we need to encourage an exchange program by getting professors from research institutes to take a sabbatical in industry and vice versa, industry-academia as adjunct faculty that will bring them much-needed connections, because science may be great, but it needs to be translated. The business of science is very poorly understood by scientists, and business leaders do not understand science very well. I think marrying the two is extremely important.” adds Kiran.

AI Challenges in Healthcare

Presently, the ethical and legal concerns associated with the application of AI are monumental. However, healthcare organizations

must confront these challenges head on as they invest more and more in its usage for a variety of functions. Data privacy and security, patient safety and accuracy, training algorithms to identify patterns in medical data, integrating AI with current IT systems, gaining physician acceptance and trust, and guaranteeing compliance with federal regulations are some of the most urgent issues facing AI in healthcare.

Data Privacy and Security

Since AI systems gather a lot of personal health data that could be exploited if not managed properly, data privacy is especially crucial. To prevent sensitive patient data from being misused for malevolent ends, appropriate security measures must also be implemented.

Patient Safety and Accuracy

When using AI in healthcare, patient safety and accuracy are also crucial considerations. To identify trends in medical data, comprehend the connections between various diagnoses and treatments, and offer precise, patient-specific suggestions, AI systems need to be taught well and this process can’t be hurried. Furthermore, because it necessitates a thorough comprehension of how current technology functions to ensure smooth operation, integrating AI with existing IT systems might add complexity for medical personnel.

Transparency

The successful integration of AI in healthcare depends on obtaining the support and confidence of healthcare professionals. Doctors must have faith that the AI system is giving them sound recommendations and won't mislead them. Transparency is therefore crucial; doctors should be able to see how the AI system makes judgments so they can ensure that it is based on reliable, up-to-date medical research. Additionally, to guarantee that AI systems are being used morally and without endangering patient safety, compliance with government standards is essential.

What is the Future of AI in the Healthcare Industry?

In the upcoming years, AI healthcare has the potential to drastically alter how doctors diagnose, treat, and oversee patient care. A wide range of patient outcomes could be improved. Let’s take the example of identifying minor warning signs in patient data and facilitating earlier, more effective interventions. In this concern, AI systems will soon aid in the prediction of disease progression. These developments have the potential to reduce risk and associated expenses while simultaneously improving the quality of care.

AI-powered real-time remote support and cooperation will improve surgical care in addition to diagnosis. By using sophisticated platforms, experts can remotely direct operations in environments with limited resources, increasing access to topnotch surgical knowledge. Alarm fatigue, a prevalent issue in healthcare settings, will be addressed by AI solutions in the meantime. AI makes sure that medical professionals concentrate on important, really urgent signals by removing pointless warnings, and enhancing patient safety and treatment effectiveness.

Robust Analytics Engines

AI in healthcare holds great promise for the future since robust analytics engines and interconnected digital ecosystems will transform our knowledge of health and illness. The integration of these tools into routine clinical practice, rather than AI's innate capacity to perform well, is the main obstacle. Roles in medicine may change as providers adjust to highlight the distinctive human abilities of empathy, sophisticated thinking, and nuanced judgment. The largest benefits will probably accrue to those who use AI, as new generations of patients and physicians enjoy better overall experiences, increased efficiency, and better results.

AI in healthcare has a lot of promise, and new technologies are bringing forth a new wave of medical advancement. The healthcare industry can fully utilize AI's transformative potential to enhance lives, expedite clinical workflows, and usher in a future characterized by patient-centered, data driven healthcare through cautious adoption, strong evidence development, ethical oversight, and continual education.