Key Takeaways
- Artificial intelligence is transforming the healthcare industry, with 40 million users worldwide using ChatGPT daily for health-related questions
- Hospitals and health systems are partnering with major AI companies to improve diagnostics, streamline operations, and expand access to medical information
- AI is showing promise in skin cancer detection, with tools that analyze medical images and patient data to identify suspicious lesions and flag high-risk individuals
- Experts emphasize that AI is designed to support, not replace, physicians, and that preserving the doctor-patient relationship remains essential
- Consumer AI health apps can be inconsistent and should never replace professional medical evaluation
Introduction to AI in Healthcare
The healthcare industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As Geri Willis and ‘The Big Money Show’ panel discuss, more Americans are turning to AI tools for medical guidance, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT being a prime example. According to OpenAI, about 40 million users worldwide now use ChatGPT daily for health-related questions. This trend is expected to continue, with hospitals and health systems increasingly partnering with major AI companies to improve diagnostics, streamline operations, and expand access to medical information.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is one of OpenAI’s healthcare partners, along with several other major U.S. hospital systems. As Dr. Anaeze Offodile II, MSK Chief Strategy Officer, notes, "Over the next year, we’ll identify where these tools can add value, evaluate them carefully and work toward scaling them responsibly. Our responsibility is to make sure these technologies are safe, ethical and truly beneficial to patients." This partnership is just one example of the growing collaboration between healthcare providers and AI companies. As Dr. Offodile II emphasizes, "I don’t think we can walk back to a world before generative AI. The key question now is how we make sure it’s used responsibly."
Applications in Skin Cancer Detection
One area where AI is already showing promise is skin cancer detection. At MSK’s Dermatology Lab, researchers are testing AI tools that analyze medical images and patient data to identify suspicious lesions and flag high-risk individuals. As Dr. Veronica Rotemberg, director of the dermatology informatics program at MSK, notes, "I think AI is going to be a game changer for skin cancer detection in particular. The most important thing right now is testing these technologies in real clinical settings so we can understand just how impactful they truly are." The use of AI-powered tools, such as 360-degree total-body photography systems and reflectance confocal microscopy, is expected to improve the accuracy of skin cancer detection and reduce unnecessary biopsies.
The Role of AI in Healthcare
While AI is showing great promise in healthcare, experts emphasize that it is designed to support, not replace, physicians. As Dr. Rotemberg notes, "These technologies still require clinical judgment. They’re not a substitute for trained medical professionals." Additionally, consumer AI health apps can be inconsistent and should never replace professional medical evaluation. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, preserving the doctor-patient relationship remains essential. As Dr. Offodile II emphasizes, "The key question now is how we make sure [AI] is used responsibly."
The Future of AI in Healthcare
The future of AI in healthcare is exciting and rapidly evolving. With the increasing adoption of AI technology, hospitals and health systems are expected to improve diagnostics, streamline operations, and expand access to medical information. As Dr. Rotemberg notes, "As dermatologists, our goal is to find all the skin cancers while minimizing unnecessary biopsies. That’s a delicate balance. These tools help improve what we call specificity, identifying cancer more accurately while avoiding procedures that patients don’t need." As AI continues to transform the healthcare industry, it is essential to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and in a way that benefits patients.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/healthcare/how-artificial-intelligence-transforming-healthcare