The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics on Medicine

In my blog entry of Sept. 11, 2012 (Some Predictions on the Impact of Technology on Society) I mention that medicine could utilize technology in many areas of practice. In another entry of Oct. 24, 2017, I recommended that every individual's medical record be stored in the cloud (Internet) where it can be accessed from anywhere at any time. In this entry I will discuss the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics on the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries. AI can also improve the delivery of medical services while reducing cost. Telemedicine: Whenever a person feels ill or is injured a call would be made to a central notification agency. Once the patient's social security number is provided, the following sequence of events transpires: The caller is greeted by a chatbot (a computer program in the form of a virtual correspondent that can vocally engage in conversation with the caller). Connected to a program on the Internet, the chatbot would immediately determine the seriousness of the ailment based on the information provided. It will then request an ambulance if it is determined to be an emergency, or request the person be driven to the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment, or the chatbot can provide advice on home treatment if there is no need for immediate attention. The chatbot can even request medication if needed. [Note: The use of chatbots has a number of advantages over a human point of contact: (1) waiting is eliminated as response time is immediate; (2) determination of the nature of the case is quickly assessed as the chatbot is programmed to diagnose the problem based on the information provided by the caller; (3) medical records are automatically retrieved and updated, which can aid with the diagnosis and personalize the treatment based on the person's history; (4) The need for a doctor or nurse is minimized, freeing them to devote more time to patient care, and (5) costs are reduced as chatbots work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without compensation.] Telepsychotherapy: Another use of chatbots is in the support it can provide to individuals with mental health or addiction problems. Conversing with a chatbot is. thanks to AI. very human sounding. The chatbot can determine if a caller is suicidal and request home intervention. The chatbot can deliver online psychotherapy at any time or place. Patients may be more willing to communicate with a non-judgemental robot than to a live individual. Finally, the cost of delivering this service is minimal compared to the cost of an hour's worth of counseling with a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Medical records: Every individual's medical history from birth onward can be stored on the internet. These records can be retrieved at any time from any place. These are password protected using the individual's social security number. Everyone should be reminded to always keep their number in their purse or wallet. Quick retrieval of this information can facilitate diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostics: Another area where AI can be applied is in improving the cost, speed, and accuracy of diagnosis. Blood analysis can be automated, heart function and other measures can be accessed, and x-rays can be read automatially and immediately. A diagnosis can be completed as soon as all inputs are entered. Surgery: Computers connected to various medical devices can be programmed to perform surgical procedures accurately. Treatment will be facilitated and cost reduced. Patient monitoring: The use of various sensors can monitor a patient's condition. Medical staff can be summoned if their condition requires attention. Dispensing medication: Robots can be programmed to provide patients with medication in a timely manner. Research: As a large pool of patient information is accumulated, AI can detect relationships between human practices and the occurrance of diseases. Also, AI can associate the effects of various chemical compounds and/or medical procedures on various disease processes, and recommend these as possible treatments.