2024 sees the healthcare industry is in a phase of transformation. Dr. Santosh Karthikeyan Viswanathan, Global Technical Director at AstraZeneca, pictures a scene where AI plays an important role in improving patient outcomes and accelerating medical advancements.
“Imagine a world where a simple scan can detect cancer before any symptoms occur, potentially saving millions of lives,” he said during his recent TEDx Talk. “That world is closer than we think thanks to the power of artificial intelligence.”
This underscores the immense promise AI holds for early disease detection and prevention.
At AstraZeneca, AI is already an important tool. Viswanathan recounts a breakthrough moment: “I first realized the potential of healthcare through AI when I saw an AI system detect and score the tumor cells based on the data sets of pathology images supporting imaging scientist in their research.”
This application demonstrates how AI can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnostics, potentially leading to faster and more precise treatment plans.
The impact of AI extends beyond diagnostics. Viswanathan discussed this: “The convergence of science and technology has accelerated the clinical trials delivering value to our patients across the globe.”
AI is optimizing the drug development process, which makes these life-saving treatments reach the patients faster and more efficiently. But with great power comes great responsibility. Viswanathan went ahead to share the need for a strong framework that would ensure using AI in healthcare ethically and responsibly while touching on transparency, accountability, and fairness. He stressed building trust through clear communication around data usage and decision-making processes.
Viswanathan also advocates for collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem. By fostering partnerships between technology companies, healthcare providers, regulators, and patients, the industry can fully realize AI’s potential while mitigating risks.
AstraZeneca’s approach serves as a model for responsible innovation. The company is harnessing AI’s power thoughtfully and ethically — which should be commended — not just advancing medical science — Paving the way, fingers crossed, for a healthcare future that is more precise, efficient and patient-centered.
