08/29/16 03:40 PM EST
---
title: "Exploring the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare"
author: "Geraldine Peroni, MD"
source: "https://www.healthitanalytics.com/news/exploring-the-future-artificial-intelligence-healthcare"
url: https://www.healthitanalytics.com/news/exploring-the-future-artificial-intelligence-healthcare
lang: en
---

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming healthcare in many ways, but the potential for this technology to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs is still enormous. Here are some of the ways that AI is currently being used in healthcare:

1. Predictive analytics: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data from electronic health records (EHRs) to identify patterns and make predictions about future health events. For example, an algorithm could predict which patients are at risk for hospital readmissions or which patients are likely to develop certain chronic conditions in the future.
2. Medical imaging: AI-powered tools can analyze medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to help doctors identify abnormalities and diagnose diseases. These tools can also help radiologists more accurately measure and track tumors over time.
3. Virtual health assistants: AI-powered virtual assistants can answer patients' questions about their health conditions, remind them to take medications, and even provide some basic medical advice. For example, the Google Assistant can answer questions about symptoms or medication side effects, while the Mayo Clinic's Chatbot can help patients schedule appointments and get information about their conditions.
4. Drug discovery: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data from previous clinical trials to identify potential drug targets and speed up the drug discovery process. For example, IBM Watson has been used to analyze genomic data from thousands of cancer patients to identify new drug targets for immunotherapy.
5. Personalized medicine: AI-powered tools can analyze a patient's genetic makeup, lifestyle factors, and medical history to create personalized treatment plans that are tailored to their individual needs. For example, the company Tempus Health uses AI algorithms to analyze large amounts of genomic data from cancer patients and develop customized treatment plans based on each patient's unique characteristics.

While these applications of AI in healthcare are already having a significant impact, there is still much more that can be done. As data continues to grow and AI technology advances, we can expect even more innovative solutions to emerge in the coming years. Some of the areas where AI has the potential to make the biggest impact include:

1. Population health management: AI algorithms can analyze population-level data to identify trends and predict future health outcomes. This information can be used to develop targeted interventions that address specific health issues in a community, such as high rates of chronic diseases or opioid abuse.
2. Remote patient monitoring: AI-powered tools can analyze data from remote patient monitoring devices to detect abnormalities and alert healthcare providers to potential problems. For example, an algorithm could detect changes in a patient's heart rate or blood pressure that indicate a serious condition such as a heart attack or stroke.
3. Health information security: AI algorithms can help protect sensitive health information by identifying and mitigating cyber threats. For example, an algorithm could detect unusual patterns of activity on a healthcare network that might indicate a data breach or other security issue.
4. Medical research: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of medical research data to identify new insights and accelerate the pace of discovery. This information can be used to develop new treatments for diseases or to improve existing ones.
5. Healthcare workforce management: AI-powered tools can help healthcare organizations optimize their workflows and reduce costs by automating routine tasks such as scheduling, billing, and coding. This can free up healthcare workers to focus on providing high-quality care to patients.

Overall, the potential for AI to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs is enormous, but it will take a concerted effort from healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology companies to realize this potential. As with any new technology, there are also concerns about privacy, security, and bias that must be addressed in order to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly in healthcare. But if we can overcome these challenges, the benefits of AI in healthcare are likely to be truly transformative.