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The field of medicine has witnessed remarkable advancements in the application of artificial intelligence (AI), leading to improved patient care and healthcare outcomes. From detecting diseases in medical images to identifying adverse drug reactions, AI technologies have transformed routine healthcare practices.
Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health (MoH) in Singapore highlights the importance of responsible and safe AI development.
According to the Senior Minister, collaborative efforts between organisations, such as the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS), have resulted in significant advancements in AI applications. For instance, the development of an AI system by IHiS and HSA allows the proactive monitoring of adverse events related to medicines using electronic health records.
This enables the timely identification of previous adverse drug reactions, enhancing medicine safety surveillance and ensuring public confidence, particularly during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
AI-powered technologies, like the AI Engine developed by IHiS and Changi General Hospital, have transformed diagnostic capabilities. By accurately predicting the likelihood of mild or severe pneumonia based on chest X-ray images, AI systems empower healthcare professionals to identify at-risk patients earlier.
This breakthrough goes beyond human capabilities, utilising large volumes of data and imaging analysis to improve patient outcomes and optimise interventions. Senior Minister Janil stated that recent breakthroughs in AI have introduced generative AI, a technology that goes beyond pattern recognition and natural language understanding.
“Recent breakthroughs have changed the way we think about what AI can do and should do. Traditional AI has focused on detecting patterns from images and understanding natural language. Generative AI, on the other hand, produces new content, such as audio, text, and images,” Senior Minister Janil furthered.
He added that generative AI systems produce new possibilities for innovation in healthcare. This substantial leap forward in AI capabilities enhances systems’ ability to see, hear, and understand complex healthcare data, ultimately aiding healthcare professionals in delivering advanced care.
While AI brings numerous benefits, ensuring its safe and responsible use is paramount. Advanced AI models still exhibit limitations, including biases and the potential for generating false information. To address these challenges, regulatory bodies like HSA and the MoH in Singapore have implemented initiatives to oversee the development and deployment of AI medical devices.
Additionally, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has introduced AI Verify, an AI governance testing framework to promote responsible AI practices.
Collaboration between healthcare organisations and technology providers is key to driving AI innovations in healthcare. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between IHiS and a giant tech company signifies their joint commitment to advancing the development and use of generative AI applications in healthcare. By combining IHiS’ expertise in healthcare IT systems with the giant tech company’s advanced AI technologies, this partnership aims to create innovative solutions while ensuring privacy and security.
Through collective efforts and continued learning, the healthcare community can address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
Building minimum viable products and exploring innovative use cases, such as information chatbots and automation tools, will transform clinician workflows and improve patient care. However, it is crucial to reaffirm the commitment to safe and responsible AI development, upholding ethics and governance standards.
Senior Minister Janil emphasised that the rapid advancements in AI applications have revolutionised healthcare by improving diagnosis, enhancing patient care, and unlocking innovative possibilities.
“By harnessing the power of AI responsibly and fostering collaborations between healthcare institutions and technology providers, the future of healthcare holds immense potential for delivering safer, more efficient, and personalised care,” he concluded.
