BLESSING OR CURSE? AI in Medicine

Petran Daria

11th grade A

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is something that would have been considered a plot element out of

a science fiction novel, something which would have been impossible for us to have in our

lifetime. However, AI has already begun leaving its mark on our lives. For instance, it is already

beginning to change the face of medicine in such a way that it is impacting how we understand

and treat diseases.

Thus, AI is made up of computer systems with the ability to learn and predict or make decisions, 

similar to human beings. As for healthcare, it represents algorithms with the capability to discern 

patterns in scans, predict dangers to one's health, or even provide treatment. Nevertheless, AI

isn’t here to replace doctors but to enhance all the instruments used by them. The question is

not whether it is needed in healthcare but how it can be employed effectively without forfeiting

the human touch, on which patients rely heavily.

For example, AI has had extensive uses in diagnostic imaging. Google's DeepMind and IBM's

Watson Health have been developed to interpret mammograms, chest X-rays, and retinal scans 

with great accuracy (over 85%). In 2020, a model developed by Google's DeepMind was

capable of identifying breast cancer just by analysing mammograms with an accuracy which

was 11.5% higher than human radiologists in some situations. AI learns by studying millions of

images annotated by human operators to identify minute details that are likely overlooked by

humans. Therefore, AI is not only more efficient, but it also removes the risk of human error,

which is often attributed to fatigue. However, AI is not entirely without flaws, and there can be

doubts about false positives and biases in its responses.

Another breakthrough in the applications of AI is in forecasting cardiac events. Computers can

now assess ECG recordings, cardiac images, and patient data to predict the risk of having a

heart attack or cardiac arrest. Hence, a 2022 research by the renowned Mayo Clinic found that

AI can predict asymptomatic heart failure with a certainty above 85% with only standard ECG

information. This is because AI is able to identify even the slightest change in signals that even

a highly experienced cardiac specialist might not notice. Regardless, we cannot over-rely on AI,

as it is meant to complement, and not replace, clinical expertise, especially in critical situations

such as heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

The third area in which AI has tremendous potential is drug discovery and personalised

treatment. Conventional drug discovery is a long and costly process that can take several years. 

Today, AI can quickly scan massive biochemical databases for drug leads. During the

COVID-19 pandemic, it was AI that assisted a team of MIT researchers in finding a new

antibiotic drug, called "halicin," after scanning millions of molecules for their bacterial-killing

abilities. This process would have taken several decades if done by hand. Moreover, AI-

assisted genetic testing now allows for customised cancer treatment for patients based on their

unique genetic makeup. Such developments demonstrate AI's immense potential for life-saving

purposes but also bring with them several daunting concerns related to privacy, accessibility,

and affordability.

Despite all the achievements AI has made, it is yet to gain unanimous acceptance in medicine.

Many patients will feel uneasy about having a machine participate in diagnosing or treating them 

because it will mean denying them the human touch that is much needed in medicine.

Successful treatment is much more than mere precision; it also involves empathy. The majority

of patients will agree to have their diagnosis made by AI only if it is relayed by healthcare

professionals, who show genuine concern for their cause, something which AI is still not able to

do, thus making the human touch indispensable.

Additionally, it is impossible to ignore the moral and logistical issues related to AI. 

These issues include bias in algorithms, security, and responsibility. Each one poses a complex

question, but perhaps, the most important one is the following: If AI makes a mistake that

causes harm, who is at fault? The programmer, doctor, or hospital? An even more critical

question is related to transparency. These AI systems have to be transparent enough in order

for doctors to understand and justify their recommendations. Putting blind faith in AI would mean 

going against one of the pillars of medicine: informed professional judgment.

Nonetheless, rejecting AI altogether would mean opposing one of the greatest advancements in 

medicine has ever known. Many innovative technologies had been greeted withscepticismm

before they had even had a chance to prove their worth. For example, when stethoscopes first

appeared in medicine in the 19th century, physicians considered them unnecessary. Who

would’ve thought that X-rays used to be considered risky curiosities? Today, both instruments

are staples in the medical world. AI is now facing the same judgment. Denying its place in

medicine would be like refusing to use microscopes because they seemed too “unnatural” at

first. Adaptation is always required when progress is on the horizon.

Henceforth, it is crucial for traditional education in medicine to change. Physicians practising

medicine in the future have to be trained not only in patient care but also in how to comprehend

the instruments they work with, such as AI. Naturally, it is not necessary for a doctor to be a

computer scientist. However, it is essential for them to know how to interpret information

received through AI, identify any probable errors in the information given, and communicate this

information to patients.

Overall, AI is not something that will change medicine in the faraway future. It is already playing

an active role in the medical field, and it is proving its value in all kinds of matters, ranging from

diagnostics and prediction to treatment. Its capabilities cannot help but be taken seriously.

However, these capabilities have to be used for good. The future of medicine is going to involve

combining precision and expertise from machines and compassion and empathy from human

beings. Hence, we should approach AI thoughtfully, train doctors to use it, set ethical

boundaries, and keep patient relationships at the heart of care. In that case, we can build a

future where innovation and humanity strengthen, rather than compete with each other.