Dr AI and Mr Hyde: a doctor in spite of ourselves?

Would you agree to be treated by an artificial intelligence? This question encapsulates our ambivalent relationship with AI, halfway between mistrust of a potentially intrusive machine and fascination with the new tools it provides to doctors. To resolve this dilemma, Davide La Torre says it’s the human-machine interaction that needs to be taken care of.

Davide La Torre
University Professor of Applied Mathematics and
Artificial Intelligence
SKEMA Business School

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising many fields, and the healthcare sector is part of this revolution. The integration of AI-powered technologies into the healthcare ecosystem has the potential to dramatically improve patient outcomes, enhance the efficiency of medical processes, and enduringly transform our approach to providing care. AI has a wealth of uses in healthcare and medicine. With automated diagnoses, risk assessments, personalised treatment recommendations and the discovery of new medicines, AI-powered systems can significantly simplify and optimise various aspects of healthcare. For example, AI algorithms can analyse medical imaging data with remarkable accuracy, facilitating the early detection of diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. In addition, AI-powered clinical decision support systems can provide healthcare professionals with real-time information, helping them to make better-informed, evidence-based decisions.

LET THERE BE FLUID MECHANICS

One of the main considerations with involving AI in health and medicine is the issue of trust. Patients, healthcare professionals and the general public must have confidence in the reliability, accuracy and transparency of AI-based systems. The concept of “explainable AI” has become widespread, as it ensures that the decision-making processes of these systems are transparent and accessible to human users. By building trust through explainability, AI-enabled medical and healthcare solutions can achieve wider acceptance and deeper integration into clinical practices.

Another key factor is the relationship between the human being and the machine. AI-powered technologies must be designed to complement and enhance the skills of healthcare professionals, not replace them. The “spare tyre effect” refers to the potential discomfort or resistance that could arise when AI systems are introduced into an already-established relationship between patient and healthcare provider. To mitigate this, AI-based tools need to be seamlessly integrated into the workflow, enabling healthcare professionals to make more informed decisions, and thus improving the overall patient experience. Integration requires the design of AI systems that can be integrated perfectly into existing processes and technologies, so that care providers can easily access and use the analytics provided by AI without any disruption to their daily lives. By providing relevant data in real time, AI can optimise clinical decision-making, reduce administrative tasks and foster customised care for patients.

THE PATIENT AT THE HEART

In line with trends in other industries, the healthcare sector is taking a human-centric approach, making patients central to AI-driven healthcare in order to realise its full potential. Patient-centric AI systems prioritise each person’s unique needs, preferences and values, and tailor the care experience accordingly. By harnessing data analysis, natural language processing and other AI capabilities, these technologies can offer bespoke recommendations for treatment, aid collaborative decision-making and empower patients to become more involved in their care. This shift towards a patient-centric approach not only increases patient satisfaction, but also leads to better health outcomes and greater compliance with treatment plans.

Customised medicine is a sector in which AI is making huge strides. Using patient data, genetic information and advanced analytics, AI systems can tailor treatment plans and medicine dosages to each patient’s specific needs, optimising the effectiveness of the treatment and reducing side effects. In addition, AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots are being used to increase patient engagement and ensure 24/7 access to healthcare information. These technologies can deal with frequently asked questions, give advice on well-being and even support the management of chronic illnesses, thereby increasing patients’ involvement in their healthcare pathway.

NURTURING TRUST

As AI progresses and becomes increasingly integrated into the spheres of healthcare and medicine, it is crucial to address the ethical, legal and regulatory issues that arise. Issues concerning data privacy, algorithm bias and the potential replacement of healthcare workers need to be carefully addressed to ensure that AI’s benefits are fairly distributed and its risks mitigated.

The integration of AI into health and medicine raises challenges and huge opportunities all at once. By focusing on trust, explainability and human-machine interaction, healthcare organisations and doctors can harness the transformative potential of AI to provide more personalised, efficient and appropriate care, which will improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities on a global scale.