Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been viewed as a futuristic concept but it has become part of our daily lives through programs such as ChatGPT, and Google Bard. Controversy has risen due to the program's abilities to perform multiple tasks that range from answering questions to creating resumes. Some believe that one day AI will take over jobs and with the recent advancements, it may be possible. Healthcare workers have started to incorporate electronic systems in their work to process and store data so the next step is to adopt AI softwares. Healthcare careers that are at risk of being replaced by AI are radiologists and pathologists. As AI continues to advance, it is not a question of if, but when AI will completely take over.
What is AI?
AI is a machine which harvests intelligence, it has the ability to allow a computer to make decisions and perform complex tasks without the programming.
Exposure to AI
We have been exposed to AI through virtual assistants such as Alexa and Siri, facial recognition, navigation apps, and email spam filters. We have been conditioned to AI in our daily lives so it is no shock that medical professionals are quick to incorporate into their work. AI creates an easier way for healthcare workers to analyze symptoms, detect diseases, and explore drug discoveries thus allowing healthcare workers to spend more time on patient care. Medical professionals can incorporate an interactive AI tool with trained data that allows patients to ask questions while the doctor attends to other responsibilities, allowing a quicker workflow within the hospitals.
Careers at Risk
Careers that have an involvement with digital information are more likely to become automatic such as pathologists and radiologists. AI has begun to interpret images which may be a risk since radiology requires the analyzing of CTs or X Rays. In pathology, AI can contribute to accurate diagnosis and process the complex images. Both of these careers rely on research and AI can act as a tool to refine the research and prepare it for formal publishing. These jobs are not going to be replaced all of a sudden but rather slowly.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Although AI may seem enticing and provide certain advantages within the medical field, there are some risks that could occur. One being protecting patients information, patient onfidentiality may be at risk due to their information being connected to data networks. Some malicious attackers may breach into the databases and change or transmit patient data thus meaning the patients privacy is compromised. Additionally, the change within the industry would be hard. Patients may be hesitant to trust healthcare providers who rely on AI as it may seem similar to searching up my symptoms online. A research study by Pew Research Center discovered that 60% of Americans would be uncomfortable if their doctor relied on AI.
AI is still a long way from being perfected, but when it is, medical professionals should address the public's concerns.
References
Basu, Kanadpriya et al. “Artificial Intelligence: How is It Changing Medical Sciences and Its Future?.” Indian journal of dermatology vol. 65,5 (2020): 365-370. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_421_20
Davenport, Thomas, and Ravi Kalakota. “The potential for artificial intelligence in healthcare.” Future healthcare journal vol. 6,2 (2019): 94-98. doi:10.7861/futurehosp.6-2-94
"How AI Is Revolutionizing Healthcare." University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 10 June 2020, www.usa.edu/blog/how-ai-is-revolutionizing-healthcare/.
Monahan, Jennifer. "Revolutionizing Health Care: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Better Patient Care." Carnegie Mellon University News, 9 Aug. 2023, www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2023/august/revolutionizing-health-care-harnessing-artificial-intelligence-for-better-patient-care
"Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine." College of Computing and Informatics, 21 July 2021, drexel.edu/cci/stories/artificial-intelligence-in-medicine-pros-and-cons/.
Tyson, Alec, et al. "60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable with Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care." Pew Research Center, 22 Feb. 2023, www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/02/22/60-of-americans-would-be-uncomfortable-with-provider-relying-on-ai-in-their-own-health-care/.