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Artificial intelligence
OpinionComment
Syed Munir Khasru
Syed Munir Khasru

Opinion | Our AI-driven healthcare future needs one vital ingredient – the human touch

  • The challenges of AI do not negate its potential; instead, they underscore the necessity of a synergistic approach
  • Combining AI with human skills is vital, not only for accuracy but to maintain the essence of personal care in healthcare

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This synergy between technology and human insight is pivotal for holistic healthcare solutions in the 21st century. Photo: Shutterstock
Syed Munir Khasru

Artificial intelligence in healthcare is increasingly an important topic, and one that will be discussed at the World Health Summit next week in Berlin. AI has the potential to improve patient outcomes but it also poses risks – from data collection and use to biases that can skew patient outcomes.

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By 2025, more than US$30 billion is expected to be invested into AI for healthcare, a reflection of the growing trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

A major driver of this investment is the imperative to make better use of the vast amount of healthcare data available. Through data analysis and tools such as virtual health assistants, AI can help to significantly cut healthcare costs.

Also becoming popular are wearable health devices and AI-backed treatment plans that focus more on individual needs and early healthcare measures. In China for instance, such devices from companies including Huawei Technologies monitor vital health statistics, while platforms like Ping An Good Doctor offer AI-driven preliminary diagnoses. China’s AI healthcare evolution also includes innovations such as Infervision’s AI algorithms for early disease detection through medical imaging, and Tianji Robot’s precision in robot-assisted orthopaedic surgery.

And it’s not just China. The integration of AI into healthcare has also seen significant advances in Europe and the United States. Countries including Britain, France and Germany are spearheading public-private initiatives, such as digital innovation hubs in healthcare.

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The US, home to pioneers like DeepMind, which trained its AI algorithms to detect more than 50 eye diseases from medical scans, emphasises cutting-edge research with regulatory vigilance. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) guidelines for AI-based medical devices and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA’s) data privacy mandates demonstrate this commitment.
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