In the midst of Canada’s struggling health care system, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of artificial intelligence (AI). With over 300 domestic startups leveraging AI to drive health innovations, the potential for transforming the country’s health care landscape is immense. From wound severity assessment tools to handheld devices detecting cardiac diseases, and platforms predicting the global spread of viruses, these technologies are on the cusp of making a significant impact.
To shed light on this transformative future, Azra Dhalla, the Director of Health AI Implementation at Toronto’s Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, shares her insights. Dhalla’s mission is to bridge the gap between world-class AI research and tangible applications in the health care sector. By collaborating with hospitals, health care agencies, and academia, she aims to unleash the full potential of AI in improving patient care.
Despite the current challenges, AI is already finding its place in medicine. ChartWatch, an early-warning system, utilizes predictive analytics to assess patient vitals and forecast the need for ICU transfer or predict adverse outcomes. Such predictive power enables improved decision-making and early intervention, ultimately saving lives.
However, deploying AI models in a clinical setting presents unique challenges in health care. Data security, privacy, and confidentiality are critical considerations. The effectiveness of AI algorithms relies on the availability of diverse and comprehensive health data. To overcome this hurdle, the Vector Institute has partnered with Gemini, a data collaborative comprising more than 30 hospitals in Ontario. This collaboration allows researchers to develop cutting-edge AI models and solutions, including studies related to COVID-19.
Dhalla highlights three key areas where AI is making significant strides: personalized medicine, drug discovery, and the creation of an efficient health system. In personalized medicine, AI algorithms can predict illnesses and provide long-term patient support. For example, changes in speech patterns can be analyzed to predict Alzheimer’s disease, while imaging data can guide treatment decisions for breast cancer patients. In drug discovery, AI leverages pharmacological and health data to identify potential combinations of drugs that can target emerging viruses or treat conditions beyond their original purpose. Moreover, AI has the potential to alleviate the burden of long hospital wait times, a pressing issue in Canada. By optimizing resource allocation and staffing, AI can enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Dispelling common misconceptions, Dhalla emphasizes that AI is not meant to replace physicians but rather augment their clinical decision-making. It acts as a virtual second opinion, complementing human judgment and expertise. Knee surgeries performed by robots are not yet a reality, and Dhalla believes they are unlikely to become the norm.
When engaging with doctors and health care practitioners, Dhalla finds that they are eager to understand how AI can revolutionize health care in practical terms. They seek seamless integration of AI solutions into their workflows, without additional complexity. Furthermore, explainability is crucial. Physicians need to understand the rationale behind AI algorithms’ decisions to trust and effectively utilize them.
Addressing concerns about bias in AI, Dhalla acknowledges that biased data can perpetuate and reinforce bias within algorithms. For instance, if AI models are trained on data that predominantly represents a specific population segment, they may fail to perform accurately for diverse populations. To counter this, responsible AI practices prioritize access to diverse data and proactively correct inherent biases. Pilot testing in real clinical settings is an essential step to ensure the effectiveness and inclusivity of AI solutions.
Given the anxieties surrounding Canadian health care, Dhalla firmly believes in the transformative potential of AI for patients. For instance, machine learning models can generate radiation therapy treatment plans for prostate cancer patients in a fraction of the time it takes for a clinician to do so manually. This efficiency allows patients to receive personalized treatment plans sooner and spend more valuable time with their physicians, significantly enhancing their quality of life and the care they receive.
As Canada grapples with its health care challenges, the integration of AI offers hope for a brighter future. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the country can pave the way for a more efficient, precise, and patient-centric health care system.
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