Artificial intelligence is being integrated into the Danish Healthcare system and holds significant potential in areas such as diagnosis and treatment. Foto: Gencraft.com / DCCC.
16-08-2023
Martin Bøgsted, a researcher at Aalborg University, studies artificial intelligence. And despite of having a cautious North Jutlandic attitude, he still struggles to contain his enthusiasm for the potential. However, to unlock the full potential of AI, it is essential for healthcare professionals to have a comprehensive understanding of both the advantages and disanvantages, says the professor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a topic of widespread discussion in the recent months, primarily due to the rapid advancements in generative AI technology like ChatGPT. Utilizing existing data, these technologies have the ability to create new content.
Even though generative AI may not be the primary focus when it comes to the artificial intelligence that will significantly impact the Danish Healthcare system in the upcoming years, Professor and Center Director Martin Bøgsted from the Center for Clinical Data Science (CLINDA) at Aalborg University is impressed by the technology.
- The enthusiasm surrounding ChatGPT may appear overhyped, but I genuinely believe it will have a transformative impact on the world. It also holds great potential as a game-changer in the field of medicine. Just imagine being able to query the entire world's medical records and extract valuable insights. It would be truly remarkable. The technology is already in place, and I think we're witnessing a paradigm shift.
However, various other AI technologies are also rapidly approaching Danish patients. Therefore, it is important for Danish healthcare professionals to differentiate between valuable and irrelevant aspects and develop a broad understanding of AI, according to Martin Bøgsted.
- These technologies are making their presence felt on the global stage. There are numerous major players who are eager to provide solutions to the Healthcare system. However, the solutions offered are often highly fragmented. I strongly emphasize the importance of healthcare professionals adopting a critical and holistic approach to AI. In this way, we can collectively elevate the field of oncology through a collaborative effort.
In the program for the Danish Cancer Research Days
Therefore, Martin Bøgsted, along with Christian Rønn Hansen from Odense University Hospital, is currently busy finalizing the last details for a session on artificial intelligence at the Danish Cancer Research Days 2023. The primary objective of the session, led by these two organizers, is to provide participants with insights into how artificial intelligence will contribute to clinical practice in the future.
- It is truly fascinating because we are currently on the verge of having systems that can genuinely be used to assist in making treatment decisions for individual patients. It is not entirely new that we use data from clinical trials and registry data to categorize patients into groups and adjust treatment strategies accordingly. However, the ability to utilize AI to delve deep into individual patient characteristics such as age, gender, genetics, social background, and so on and account for all of these factors has been a desired goal for many years.
According to Martin Bøgsted the many new possibilities also bring challenges, just like any other situation.
- We take our starting point from a presentation by Thomas Ploug [Professor, Aalborg University Copenhagen, ed.], which initiates a crucial discussion: Artificial intelligence also makes mistakes, but should that halt its progress? The interesting question is whether these errors are more severe or worse than the ones that would have occurred otherwise. In general, we probably need to accept that machines are not perfect, adds the professor, and further states:
- Furthermore, we delve into some of the examples where we have made the most progress in implementing AI in the Danish Healthcare system. All in all, I believe that participants will gain genuine insight into the potential and an appropriate level of critical perspective.
The session on artificial intelligence will take place on Friday, September 1st, from 10:55 -12:15. Read more about the Danish Cancer Research Days here: Danish Cancer Research Days - DCCC - Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center.