AI in healthcare — applications and risks

What is AI already doing in healthcare?

AI has found its way into virtually every branch of healthcare, from administrative automation to life-saving diagnostics.

Diagnostics and image analysis

AI models can analyze X-rays, MRI scans, and pathology photos with accuracy equal to or better than specialized physicians.

• Breast cancer — Google's model detects tumors with fewer false negatives
• Skin cancer — CNNs distinguish melanomas from benign conditions
• Diabetic retinopathy — FDA-approved AI screening without specialist ophthalmologist

Drug development

AI dramatically accelerates drug discovery: AlphaFold predicts protein structures; AI screens millions of molecules for therapeutic potential.

Administration and planning

AI helps process discharge letters, schedule operating rooms, and predict hospital admissions.

Risks

• Bias in training data
• Liability
• Privacy
• Overdiagnosis