Artificial Intelligence and Medicine

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"Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence demonstrated by machines, unlike the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals, which involves consciousness and emotionally".
Wickipedia

From the definition above, artificial intelligence can be understood as a computerized attempt to imitate the natural intelligence of humans.
According to oxford dictionary, intelligence is basically the ability to acquire knowledge, through various means, from the environment, and then apply this information in a bid to solve future problems.
In other words, intelligence is the ability to learn, unlearn then relearn how and how not to do things.

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The study of artificial intelligence spans from the 1950’s and has passed through significant growth and development. One of the milestone achievements was recorded in 2005 when the Alpha GO machine beat a human professional player in the GO game, a game which has intuition as a primary method of play.

Patient management in the hospital classically begins from the diagnostic process. After successful diagnosis, the physician, makes necessary medical decisions based on the interpretation of the data, eventually prescription of drugs is issued.

Artificial intelligence as used in medical diagnosis:

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After biochemical analysis in the laboratory, data sets are generated, this data can then be fed into the processing memory of an AI machine, the machine having been taught the normal historical pattern of the data presentation and its significance, will eventually identify changes and variations in the new data, subsequently it makes an interpretation. Asides from biochemical parameters like serum analyte concentration, AI can be used to identify patterns In magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scans, CT, X-RAY and ultrasound images.

Indicators of retinopathy and some skin lesions can be identified with the help of an artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence as used in medical and drug research:

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Research is an intellectual process, by which available knowledge is validated, and new ones discovered. This process often involves the rigorous process of data collection, analysis and study. The services of an artificial intelligent machine however can be employed in every step of the research in an efficient and time saving manner. The use of this machine can expose the researcher to information that would have otherwise been subtle to the human mind.
Also the stages of drug development which ranges from the preclinical stages, through the clinical to the post clinical stages, can all be enhanced using artificial intelligence.

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Recently the WHO published, a set of principles to be used as a basis for making laws that would govern the use and development of deep learning technologies in the medical field.

These guidelines include:

Protecting human autonomy:
Under this point, the world health organization identifies the need to ensure that the supremacy of the human mind over any form of machine learning. Hence it maintains that the final medical decisions should be left for the human health officials to make.

Promoting human wellbeing and safety and the public interest:

Here the world health organisation stresses the need for the use of a quality control measure while employing AI in medicine. this is to ensure that reliable data is generated. This will remove all foreseeable dangers, and help mitigate the effect of any accident that may arise.

Ensuring transparency, explainability and intelligibility:

The mode of operation of the artificial intelligence machine should be transparent enough to allow the easy tracking of how and what it does with the data it collects from the patients. Information about the design of the machine should also be made available.

Fostering responsibility and accountability:

The use of AI technologies in medicine should not be used as an excuse to shift responsibility from the physician and health care officials to machines. Hence stake holders remains accountable for the results produced In the course of using the technology.

**Ensuring inclusiveness and equity: **
Benefits of the use of AI should be available to all irrespective of their age, size, color or ethnic background. This will ensure equity and foster advances in the field.

**Promoting AI that is responsive and sustainable: **
In as much as there are exciting promises made by AI and its use in medicine, it is important that the developers are constantly working on ways to improve its efficiency, and sustainability so that end users can access this services anytime anywhere.

References
Wickipedia
WHO
Robotics
Datarevenue