pathoscribe

Written by Kirsten Batitay | Art by Maya Wen

In our modern and technologically advanced society, artificial intelligence, or AI, has become increasingly prevalent. Even on the news and social media, we constantly hear about AI chatbots and programs being used by students in their schoolwork, much to their teachers’ dismay.  Not only is AI used in academic settings, but also in real world settings like the medical field. 

Artificial intelligence is defined as the use of technology and computers to emulate a human being’s intelligence and thinking. When we think about what AI can do, it is truly extraordinary. However, it can also be used on smaller scales. In hospitals and clinics, its use varies and can be split into two categories: virtual and physical. While virtual uses are geared toward applications like health record systems and treatment plans, physical uses include surgery assistance and intelligent prostheses.

A type of AI used in medicine that we are familiar with and might overlook is its use for administrative purposes and rote tasks. This includes online appointment scheduling, check-ins at medical centers, and reminders for follow-up appointments. This kind of artificial intelligence also increases efficiency in tedious tasks like billing and paperwork, known as robotic process automation. 

We also might hear about various speech-to-text programs and maybe even see them when we do our own work as students and employees. Speech-to-text falls under natural language processing and is used to transcribe medical documents. Having these kinds of tools aids doctors and physicians in their daily responsibilities, allowing them to connect more with patients. A specific example of an AI application that helps doctors perform better is Intelligent Hand Hygiene Support by Stanford University. It uses depth sensors to achieve optimal hand hygiene for medical staff, reducing hospital-acquired infections.

Better known AI usage in medicine is its help in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Machine learning–a type of artificial intelligence based on data analysis–has been especially useful in analyzing medical imaging like X-rays and CT scans. It is often used in precision medicine to improve patient treatment. AI use is also quite popular in the treatment of patients, one example being surgical robots. Otherwise known as the da Vinci surgical system, this system uses robotic arms to precisely mimic a surgeon’s hand motions. It also has 3D view and magnification features that allow surgeons to perform small incisions.

Without a doubt, artificial intelligence is the future of our society. Although it will take a long time for it to permeate our daily lives, we must become acquainted with it rather than reject it. This is especially regarding fears that AI will create massive job loss. As the National Library of Medicine states, AI is not likely to replace physicians but rather “augment” their performance. Therefore, to not get left behind in the past, we must familiarize ourselves with the future.

Works Cited:

Amisha, et al. “Overview of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2019, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691444/. 

“Revolutionizing Healthcare: How Is AI Being Used in the Healthcare Industry?” Los Angeles Pacific University, http://www.lapu.edu/ai-health-care-industry/#:~:text=AI%20in%20Healthcare%20Today,-AI%20has%20been&text=Some%20of%20the%20current%20uses,in%20accurate%20and%20swift%20diagnoses. Accessed 15 June 2024. 

Davenport, Thomas, and Ravi Kalakota. “The Potential for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.” Future Healthcare Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2019, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6616181/. Stanford Partnership in AI-Assisted Care. “Hand Hygiene.” Stanford Partnership in AI-Assisted Care, med.stanford.edu/pacresearch/research/hand-hygiene.html. Accessed 15 June 2024.