Who’s afraid of AI? These days, just about everybody. AI, ChatGPT, and similar technologies are often blamed for taking jobs and disrupting our way of life. However, the perspective is different in the healthcare field, where innovative physicians see the potential of AI to lengthen our lives and revolutionize the broken healthcare system globally.
Our current healthcare system focuses on treating people when they are already critically ill, while many fatal illnesses go undetected until it’s too late for successful treatment. This leads to costly, painful, and often ineffective treatments for advanced diseases. On the other hand, those with access to precision medicine undergo comprehensive tests, including genetic sequencing, allowing doctors to identify potential diseases early and treat them while they are still manageable.
The most expensive aspect of precision medicine is having doctors interpret test results. AI, however, can read and interpret complex medical data, such as scans and organ function, more cost-effectively than doctors. As a result, the price of precision medicine is expected to decrease significantly in the next five to 10 years, making it more accessible to all individuals. With AI’s assistance, diseases can be diagnosed even before symptoms appear, shifting the healthcare system from “sick care” to early detection and prevention.
This shift represents a significant change for both patients and doctors. Traditionally, people only visit doctors when they are unwell, while medical school training focuses on diagnosing illness. However, with AI’s capabilities, doctors can shift their focus to preventing illness and keeping patients healthy for longer. This transformative approach to healthcare will lower costs, improve patient outcomes, extend lifespans, and promote happier, independent lives for seniors.
AI also plays a crucial role in processing and assimilating the immense volume of new medical information. With around 4,000 new articles published in medical journals every day, it is impossible for doctors to keep up. However, AI can analyze and extract valuable insights from this vast amount of data, enabling faster dissemination of new ideas and treatment approaches.
By embracing AI, we can shift our healthcare system from reactive to proactive, emphasizing early detection, prevention, and efficient treatment. Not only will this benefit individuals, but it will also alleviate the burden on caregivers and create a society focused on holistic well-being. AI’s potential to add decades to our lives is remarkable, and as we continue to explore its capabilities, we can look forward to a healthier, happier future.