The Future Now: AI's Progressive Role in 2024 Healthcare
Temitayo Bewaji MD, MBA
Fractional CIO | Healthcare Innovation and Technology | Artificial Intelligence
Ok, so this is last month's edition. I admit I was caught up in the festivities. I hope you are having an awesome holiday season.
As we zoom into 2024, healthcare is getting a turbo boost from AI. Think less sci-fi and more real-life revolution, where Jarvis comes to life as a game-changer in clinics and hospitals. Ok, Maybe not quite Jarvis.
And while everyone's busy making predictions for what the year might hold, we're zooming in on the here and now. The AI field is like a high-speed train; predicting its next stop is anyone's guess. So, rather than speculate about the future, let's explore the innovations already making waves and set to grow even more significantly.
Why does this all matter? Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, or just someone intrigued by AI's impact on our health, these developments are crucial. AI is reshaping the very fabric of healthcare delivery, ethics, and education.
In this newsletter, we'll dissect the current state of AI in healthcare – from how generative AI is personalizing treatment plans to how intelligent apps are revolutionizing patient care. It's a story of groundbreaking innovation and critical challenges in data privacy and the evolving job market.
Generative AI
First up, generative AI is revamping the healthcare scene as we know it. Imagine AI playing doctor (sort of), diving into the depths of patient data, coming up with diagnoses, and handing them to the doctor for consideration and confirmation.
But wait, there's more! We're not just crunching numbers and data; AI can match patients with tailor-made treatment plans. It's like having a health assistant who knows you better than you know yourself. Take, for instance, the way AI has been a game-changer in early cancer detection.
Now, let's chat about intelligent apps. These clever little guys are the unsung heroes in patient care. They're the bridge between Dr. AI and Mr. and Mrs. Patient, ensuring the care doesn't just stop at the diagnosis. They're tracking your health, nudging you with reminders (because who remembers?), and ensuring treatments are on point.
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Data Privacy and Security
Let's pivot to a hot-button issue in our AI healthcare saga: Data Privacy and Security. It's like the rollercoaster part of the ride – thrilling, but you want to ensure you're strapped in.
First, enter BYOAI (Bring Your Own AI) and Shadow AI – they sound like cool hacker names. Still, they're at the heart of some severe data privacy headaches. Imagine this: tons of AI tools and apps, each with their fingers in the patient data pie. Sounds like a recipe for data breaches and compliance nightmares, right? Spoiler alert: it is.
Now, don't freak out just yet. There are tools available. Innovative businesses are fighting back with intelligent strategies, like beefing up their data governance policies. Think of it as the cybersecurity equivalent of eating your veggies – not the most exciting part of your meal, but super important for staying healthy.
So, what's the takeaway? As we leverage AI to up our healthcare game, we're also opening the floodgates to serious privacy and security challenges. And guess what? Navigating these waters is as much about ethics as tech and policies. Stay tuned as we dive into the ethical maze of AI in healthcare next.
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Doing AI right
Now, let's navigate the ethical jungle of AI in healthcare. It's not just about what AI can do, but also about doing it right. We're talking fairness, transparency, and keeping biases at bay. AI's not playing favorites, but ensuring it stays that way is a bit of a tightrope walk.
Here's the deal: AI's like a super-smart intern who learned everything from records. But what if those records are like old college textbooks, a bit biased or out-of-date? Suddenly, you've got AI making decisions based on a skewed view. Not cool, right? The healthcare world is hustling to keep AI in check, ensuring it's not just brilliant but also fair and transparent.
And then there's the legal side of things – think of it as the rulebook for playing nice with AI. Countries are scribbling down laws faster than a med student's notes. Take the EU AI Act, for instance. It's like a guideline for ethical AI use, making sure AI doesn’t turn into the Wild West.
As we grapple with these ethical conundrums, there's another twist: the job market's getting a makeover thanks to AI. Up next, we'll see how the rise of AI is changing the face of healthcare careers. Stay tuned – the future of work in healthcare is getting an AI-powered upgrade!
Upskilling the workforce
With AI stepping up its game, we're seeing a new league of job roles. Think AI specialists and data wizards joining the ranks of doctors and nurses. It's not just about knowing your meds anymore; it's about getting chummy with AI.
Upskilling is the name of the game. Healthcare pros are hitting the books (and screens) to keep up with AI's fast pace. It's like learning a new language, but it's learning how to talk to AI instead of Spanish or French. This isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have skill set to stay relevant and effective in AI-infused healthcare.
But here’s the twist: keeping up with AI's breakneck speed is like running a never-ending marathon. As AI tech evolves, so must the workforce. It's an exciting time but also a bit daunting. Healthcare institutions are racing to align their teams' skills with AI advancements. The goal? To harness AI's full potential without leaving anyone behind.
Conclusion
So, as we wrap up, let's return to our thesis: In 2024, healthcare's riding the AI wave, navigating through a sea of innovation, data privacy concerns, ethical questions, and a transforming job market. AI in healthcare? It's a double-edged sword – a beacon of innovation and a challenge keeping us on our toes. This journey through AI's impact on healthcare shows us it's not just a tech upgrade – it's a whole new world.
As everyone scrambles to predict what 2024 will bring to the table in AI and healthcare, we take a slightly different approach. Instead of gazing into a crystal ball, we're spotlighting the innovations already at our doorstep and those gaining serious momentum. In the rapidly evolving world of AI, trying to forecast next week can feel like predicting the weather on Mars. So, we're focusing on the current and current trends shaping the present and poised to define the future.
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