Imagine that the next time you see your doctor, she says you have a life-threatening disease. The catch? A computer has performed your diagnosis, which is too complex for humans to understand entirely. What your doctor can explain, however, is that the computer is almost always right.
How Health Care Changes When Algorithms Start Making Diagnoses
As AI algorithms become more and more complex, one of the most impactful applications for these technologies is in health care diagnoses. What can medical providers, governments, and researchers do to prepare for — and make the most of — these new tools? First, the author suggests that more attention should be paid to the development of “explainable” AI. Second, regulators must start seriously exploring creative ways to govern and certify these new systems. Finally, institutions must be put into place to ensure that patients have access to the information they need. As with any new technology, there will be challenges associated with incorporating AI tools into traditional health care. But if implemented effectively, the benefits are likely to massively outweigh the risks.