Context AI/Health

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence could be defined as a set of technological systems capable of carrying out tasks that save us time and resources. It encompasses all areas of society and its potential is so vast that it has already been called the electricity of the 21st century.

The most sophisticated algorithms use machine learning, which enables machines to improve with experience. It is good at establishing vast patterns and relationships, and also for streamlining processes. Machine learning includes deep learning, a data processing technique based on artificial neural networks with many layers. The technique is inspired by the basic functioning of neurons in the brain. It has been around for over fifty years, but now we have a volume of data and computing power large enough to apply it to a multitude of practical cases. (Source: APDCAT)

2010 Irruption year Deep Learning (DL) 1980 1950 Irruption year Irruption year Machine Learning (ML) Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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Deep learning is a subtype of machine learning that can process a wider spectrum of data, such as text, image or voice, requires less data preparation with human intervention, and often produces better results than traditional approaches. of traditional machine learning.

SOURCE: Catalonia.AI

Set of algorithms that detect patterns, anticipate what will happen (predictive analytics) and learn to make recommendations on what should or can be done (prescriptive analytics) through data processing. The algorithm also adapts in response to new data to improve efficiency.

  • Main methods
    of learning
    automatic:

  • Learning
    supervised
  • Learning
    unsupervised
  • Learning
    reinforced

SOURCE: McKinsey

Artificial intelligence is an advanced digital technology that allows machines to reproduce or surpass some of the skills that require intelligence when performed by humans. This includes technologies that enable machines to learn and adapt, sense and interact, reason and plan, optimize procedures and parameters, to extract knowledge from large amounts of data and operate autonomously.

SOURCE: Catalonia.AI

AI in the field of health

The health care environment is a clear example of an area in which the benefits of Artificial Intelligence can have an impact on improving the population’s wellbeing. In the field of health, Artificial Intelligence consists of applying algorithms and techniques capable of learning through the analysis of a large amount of data. Conclusions are drawn from this to contribute to solving health problems in the field of medicine.

It has great potential to transform the health care industry. It can have a positive impact on the medical field in multiple ways, whether by accelerating the pace of research or helping health care personnel take decisions.

The main health care areas and applications of Artificial Intelligence in health are:

Care

The Artificial Intelligence tools aimed at this field cover all citizen health services that involve treatment and management of diseases for the protection and restoration of their health.

  • Digital Medical Image Processing
  • Processing of clinical data
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Analysis of omic data

Public health

This includes the set of actions that mobilise human and material resources to protect and promote people’s health, prevent diseases and monitor the population’s health.

  • Health promotion and prevention
  • Epidemiological surveillance

Administration and management of resources

Artificial Intelligence supports the planning and management of care centres’ resources, and process automation.

  • Optimising the management of health resources
  • Administrative management

The Health/AI Observatory has already identified nearly 100 Artificial Intelligence algorithms in Health in the Catalan Health System (SISCAT) and research centres in Catalonia. Identifying the algorithms, which is still in the data gathering stage and will be updated regularly, will make it possible to know the degree of development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the field of health, to share and inform about good practices, and to promote the adoption of this technology in Catalonia, among others. The study will also be extended to other institutions and organisations.