Diagnostics, treatment management, etc are changing, thanks to AI breakthroughs in healthcare

Over the past two decades, artificial intelligence has created a robust place for itself in human society and our daily lives. Most of us are unaware of the fact that everything starting from our social media feeds to the online shopping experience is powered by AI. Fortunately, healthcare is a major area that is becoming increasingly reliant on technology. Diagnostics, treatment management, drug discovery and production, surgeries, etc are revolutionized by the influence of artificial intelligence. AI sub-technologies like machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and data science are also helping in identifying healthcare needs and solutions faster with more accuracy. On the other hand, we also fear that these capabilities could surpass human ability and make us worthless. Although this could be eminent in the far future, technology is under human toes for now. 

Top 10 AI Innovations in Healthcare Industry

AI-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Mental health issues are becoming very common in the modern world. However, addressing them is time-consuming and often very expensive. Unique mental issues like the opioid abuses’ crises are very hectic and need new methods to deliver proper care to patients. Fortunately, AI-based cognitive behavioural therapy is here to help. This emerging method is detecting depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse and helps provide apt treatments through customized medical services. 

Automatic Stroke Detection: Every minute matters when a person is suffering from a stroke. Getting access to skilled stroke care takes a lot of time, which could reflect on the patients’ health in the future. Besides this, identifying the exact spot of collapse is still a hectic task for medical professionals. Automation and AI tools can aid the medical staff in stroke detection and treatment. With the help of automation stroke detection device, doctors can close the gaps in high-quality imaging studies that can identify the type of stroke and the location of the clot or bleeding. 

Social Media Analysis on Suicidal Thoughts: According to a 2016 report, over 45,000 people died of suicide in the US. The major cause of such suicidal and self-harming thoughts lies with socioeconomic and mental health factors. However, social media analysis on profiles can help flag such suicidal thoughts beforehand. Artificial intelligence can analyse social media records and health data to alarm self-harming tendencies. Following this, the patients can use AI-driven apps to maintain therapy and support until they are better. 

3D Printed Limbs: Besides artificial intelligence, robotics capabilities are also invading the medical space. Existing robotic arms and legs can already function like human body parts. As an advanced method, 3D printed hands are here to enhance the capabilities even further. Simple tasks like changing the Television volume can be done from a distance by just moving the 3D printed limbs. It is also fused with voice recognition technology that can command smart home tasks. 

Autism Virtual Reality: Although we know autistic children suffer from various struggles even on a daily basis, we often fail to take a step forward to help them. Autism virtual reality promotes empathy and helps people around autistic patients support them in a better way. When people wear this VR headset, they get to experience what it feels like to be with autism. This could help change their perspective on autistic children. 

AI Cancer Detection: Detecting cancer at the early stage is unique. However, technology is making it possible with its growth. Artificial intelligence can detect abnormalities in radiographs at potential stages. This helps find any kind of unclear or out-of-ordinary gestures in the body that could signal cancer symptoms. Besides, AI is generally used in cancer detection, screening, treatment, chemotherapy, etc. 

AI-enhanced Microscopes: AI-enhanced microscopes are used to scan harmful bacterias in blood samples. They can be faster and more accurate than human lab technicians. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre has come up with a diagnostic microscope that uses artificial intelligence capabilities to detect deadly diseases earlier than human detection. It helps find harmful bacteria in blood with 95% accuracy. 

Digital Nurses: During the Covid-19 health disaster, we came to know the importance of medical facilities across the globe. Along with that, we also realized there are not enough medical staff including doctors and nurses to handle the overflowing patients. Fortunately, digital nurses are here to transform patient care. They can help monitor patient conditions between doctor visits. For example, Molly is a digital nurse created by Sense.ly to keep an eye on patient conditions. 

Personalized Medical Care: Giving similar treatment to 100 patients who suffer from the same disease is not a good move. Everybody’s body type, immunity, medical aspects, etc might differ. Therefore, healthcare institutions are coming up with personalized treatment facilities that could leverage tailored patient care by carefully analysing their health data. This will reduce the cost of extensive healthcare and increase effectiveness. Healthcare institutions use machine learning technology to match patient data with the most possible effective medications. 

Surgical Robots: With the combination of artificial intelligence capabilities and collaborative robotic functions, surgical robots are revolutionizing operation theatres. Although today’s surgical robots are capable of autonomously conducting surgical procedures, doctors still stand alongside them to look over the operations. However, they can do simple tasks and repetitive movements without the doctor’s assistance. By infusing AI capabilities in the surgical robots, they can improve control accuracy to sub-millimetre precision. 

The Future of AI in Healthcare
With a plethora of issues like the ageing population, growing chronic diseases, and scarcity of medical professions, the need for artificial intelligence and other technologies is drastically growing in healthcare. Although AI-powered solutions have made small changes towards these key issues, we have a long way to go before the technology matures and addresses all the concerns. However, over the next few years, hybrid AI models are anticipated to rule the healthcare space. With supreme diagnostics, sophisticated treatment, and early identity process at the core of patient care, disruptive trends like machine learning, NLP, robotics, etc will play a big role in answering complex questions. Besides, a good number of AI applications are awaiting approval to hit the market. Once they reach commercial facilities, patient care and the potential to save lives will improve exponentially.