Our AI-driven healthcare future needs one vital ingredient – the human touch

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming increasingly significant in the healthcare sector. This topic will be a key discussion point at the upcoming World Health Summit in Berlin. AI has the potential to enhance patient outcomes, but it also presents risks, including data collection and use, and biases that can negatively impact patient outcomes. By 2025, it is projected that over US$30 billion will be invested in AI for healthcare, reflecting the growing trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions. A significant factor driving this investment is the need to better utilize the vast amount of healthcare data available. Through data analysis and tools such as virtual health assistants, AI can significantly reduce healthcare costs. Wearable health devices and AI-backed treatment plans, which focus more on individual needs and early healthcare measures, are also gaining popularity. In China, for instance, devices from companies like Huawei Technologies monitor crucial health statistics, while platforms like Ping An Good Doctor provide AI-driven preliminary diagnoses. China's AI healthcare evolution also includes innovations such as Infervision's AI algorithms for early disease detection through medical imaging, and Tianji Robot's precision in robot-assisted orthopaedic surgery. However, it's not just China. The integration of AI into healthcare has also seen significant advances in Europe and the United States. Countries including Britain, France, and Germany are spearheading public-private initiatives, such as digital innovation hubs in healthcare. The US, home to pioneers like DeepMind, which trained its AI algorithms to detect more than 50 eye diseases from medical scans, emphasizes cutting-edge research with regulatory vigilance. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) guidelines for AI-based medical devices and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's (HIPAA's) data privacy mandates demonstrate this commitment. A study in the journal Nature found that AI might be as good as, or better than, doctors at detecting breast cancer from mammograms. AI is also game-changing in predicting the spread of disease. During the Covid-19 outbreak, for instance, a Canadian company, BlueDot, used AI to quickly track the spread of the virus, using news and flight data. Surgery has also seen significant changes with AI and robot-aided procedures. For example, the Da Vinci system from California-based Intuitive Surgical, used in more than 10 million surgeries, provides better results and quicker patient recoveries. Meanwhile, Japan is addressing the needs of its ageing population by integrating AI in elderly care with innovations like the Robear robot. This synergy between technology and human insight is pivotal for holistic healthcare solutions in the 21st century. The integration of AI into healthcare offers both transformative potential and challenges that demand robust regulatory oversight. Ensuring patient safety, data security, and addressing ethical dilemmas remain paramount. Misinterpretations by AI, for instance, can lead to misdiagnoses with grave implications. A classic example is IBM's now-defunct company Watson Health, which promised to transform medical care through AI, particularly in cancer treatment. By diving into massive amounts of health data, Watson would suggest the most suitable treatments to doctors, acting as a super-smart assistant. But as time went on, Watson's advice was found to have failed to hit the mark, even incorrect, which risked faulty medical decisions. The Watson experience served as a lesson: while technology can be a powerful ally in healthcare, blind trust without human oversight can be hazardous. Most countries are grappling with crafting regulations that balance innovation with safety. America's FDA and HIPAA are the guardians of medical AI regulation; the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets tight controls over data processing, with rigorous provisions for health data. While nations such as Canada and Japan are incorporating AI guidelines into existing medical device regulatory structures, others are at the nascent stage and still evaluating the best approaches. The rapid evolution of AI technology means it often outpaces regulation. Transparency in AI algorithms, essential for building trust, also remains elusive, making regulation even more challenging. One significant struggle is in addressing AI's potential bias, which can lead to skewed healthcare outcomes. Back in 2019, a Science journal article found that a widely used algorithm was showing racial bias – it recommended more white patients than black ones for further health treatments. Such instances show that AI is susceptible to inheriting biases in its training data. By identifying such biases or inaccuracies in AI predictions, humans can improve the system's accuracy, fairness, and reliability. Moreover, healthcare is not just about diagnosing and treating diseases; it also encompasses vital human elements such as trust, understanding, and the ability to address the cultural, socio-economic, and psychological nuances of individual patients. In mental health services, for example, while AI can play a role in the initial diagnosis or monitoring, a robot cannot replicate the deep understanding, empathy, and trust established in a therapist-patient relationship. The challenges that AI presents do not negate its potential. Instead, they underscore the necessity of a synergistic approach. AI's strengths lie in its data-processing capabilities, pattern recognition, and efficiency. Humans bring experiential wisdom, ethical discernment, and empathetic understanding. Combining AI with human skills is vital, not only for accuracy but to maintain the essence of personal care in healthcare. The future of healthcare requires the integration of AI tools without losing sight of the human-centric essence. This delicate balance, while challenging, is vital. It is the path to a healthcare future where technology and humanity coalesce, redefining the contours of quality healthcare in the 21st century. Professor Syed Munir Khasru is chairman of the international think tank IPAG Asia-Pacific, Australia, with a presence also in Dhaka, Delhi, Vienna, Dubai, and Mauritius.