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AI and technology personalize medicine by improving diagnostics and reducing errors

Tools like smartphone ultrasounds make healthcare faster and cheaper

20-Mar-2019

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Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping medicine by personalizing care and preventing errors, as discussed by Dr. Eric Topol at the GPU Technology Conference in San Jose. He emphasized the uniqueness of every individual and how new tools, such as mobile ultrasound devices, make diagnoses faster and cheaper. Dr. Topol illustrated this with a personal experience of diagnosing his kidney issue using a smartphone ultrasound, later confirmed by a costly CT scan.

AI’s potential in fields like radiology is notable, with companies like Zebra improving diagnostic accuracy and addressing radiologists' high false negative rates. However, Dr. Topol highlighted that AI won't replace human clinicians but will augment their abilities, especially for simpler diagnoses like skin rashes or ear infections.

The ultimate goal, according to Dr. Topol, is to enhance the human aspect of medicine by reducing administrative burdens, allowing doctors to focus on patient care. He envisions a future where smarter tools lead to more humane medical practices, transforming physicians into advocates for their patients. This session was part of Nvidia’s conference, though editorial content remained independent.

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Eric Topol

Founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, American cardiologist, scientist and author

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AI in Healthcare
AI and technology personalize medicine by improving diagnostics and reducing errors