How important is role of humans in AI-powered medical technologies

In an era dominated by technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing industry. Nowhere is its impact more pronounced and promising than in the realm of healthcare. Machine learning algorithms can swiftly analyze vast amounts of medical data, aiding in early disease detection, personalized treatment plans, and predictive analytics. AI-powered imaging systems facilitate more accurate diagnoses, enabling physicians to identify anomalies with greater precision. Moreover, AI-driven robots assist in surgeries, minimizing human error and optimizing surgical outcomes.

However, behind the scenes of these groundbreaking advancements, the human element remains indispensable. The synergy between AI and human expertise amplifies the potential for innovation and ensures the ethical and responsible implementation of these technologies.

There is a myriad of ways that AI will impact the MedTech sector, here are just three, and the roles humans will need to play in each:

1. AI-driven decision making
AI can serve as a powerful tool in providing decision support for various medical technologies, assisting healthcare professionals in making informed, data-driven decisions.

Using AI for decision support “can improve preventive procedures, reduce complexity and possibly help discharge patients earlier,” says Dr Paul Galvin, who leads the Life Sciences Interface Group at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland and the ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub, which provides technical and training supports on digital transformation for companies and public organizations based in Cork, Ireland.

Nevertheless, human involvement will be crucial in the development and training of these AI algorithms. Data scientists and healthcare professionals collaborate closely to curate datasets that reflect diverse demographics and conditions, minimize biases, and ensure the reliability of AI predictions. Clinicians provide critical insights into the intricacies of patient care, guiding AI systems to interpret data contextually and provide high quality decision support.

The delivery of adequate value-based healthcare systems, a growing reality that was first conceptualized by Harvard’s Michael E Porter in 2006 will rely heavily on AI.

“Value-based healthcare is going to drive the adoption of AI because the value add gives better clinical outcomes and takes cost out of the system.’’ notes Galvin. The collaboration between AI-driven technologies and human expertise represents an interdependent relationship, where AI augments human capabilities, assisting healthcare professionals in delivering more personalized, efficient, and informed care. Human oversight ensures ethical considerations, patient-centered care, and the ethical use of AI in healthcare, fostering a balance between technological advancement and compassionate healthcare delivery.

2. Smart manufacturing
AI is also revolutionizing medical device manufacturing by optimizing processes, improving quality, and fostering innovation. AI will increasingly augment how humans work. More of the functions to run the machines will be automated. The reality is that the speed and the accuracy that’s required is not always possible with the human eye.

At Tyndall, Galvin’s lab is working with outside collaborators on a brain-computer interface “that allows us to take complex electrical signals from the brain and transfer them into actions that could be interpreted by a machine. These actions might be to move a prosthesis or even ultimately make a connection with a damaged spine.”

Whilst AI-driven manufacturing in medical technologies offers tremendous efficiency and accuracy, human involvement remains crucial for several reasons. AI streamlines processes, enhances efficiency, and offers valuable insights. At the same time, human involvement provides the critical thinking, ethical judgment, adaptability, and creativity necessary to ensure the success, quality, and ethical implementation of AI-driven manufacturing in medical technologies.

3. Enhanced diagnostics and imaging
AI-powered medical devices aim to enhance diagnostic capabilities by providing more accurate and timely diagnoses. These devices leverage AI algorithms to analyze complex medical data, including imaging scans, genetic information, and patient records, enabling early detection and precise diagnoses.

As Galvin describes it, “AI augments the diagnostic experience from a clinician’s perspective and a patient’s perspective, enabling the predictive, the preventive, personalized and participatory medicine that we are striving to achieve.” He explains that when AI technology is used on a wearable, minimally invasive, or implantable device, “The various multi-parameter sensory systems are projecting the data into the cloud and through the cloud, with connectivity back to the clinician or to the individual — as applicable — to read the results of the data.”

Human radiologists and healthcare professionals play a critical role in validating AI-generated results, interpreting findings, and making clinical decisions based on their expertise and the broader patient context.

Privacy and other concerns
Galvin rightly highlights the prevailing concerns within MedTech regarding AI’s ethical and privacy implications. Transparency in data usage and decision-making processes is pivotal.

“There’s some anxiety. It’s concern about how patient data is used, who has access to it and most importantly, the transparency of the decision-making process.” Making algorithms transparent is a significant step toward ensuring accountability and validating the decisions made.

The need for a workforce equipped with the necessary skills to design, build, and deploy AI-driven products is imperative. This demands a substantial “skills uplift” to ensure employees are digitally adept. While AI streamlines mundane tasks, it elevates the demand for human expertise in handling complex, high-quality elements.

Looking ahead
The synergy between AI and human intelligence is the linchpin of transformative advancements in medical technologies. While AI empowers healthcare with unprecedented capabilities, it is the human expertise, empathy, ethical judgment, and holistic understanding that complement and steer these technologies towards improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare.

As we navigate this exciting frontier of AI-driven medical innovations, acknowledging and nurturing the symbiotic relationship between AI and human expertise will be pivotal in harnessing the full potential of these technologies for the betterment of humanity. Medical Product Outsourcing