Ahead of the Intelligent Health event set to take place in Basel, Switzerland on the 13-14th of September 2023, Nicole Spieker, the CEO of PharmAccess, expressed her views on the future of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the healthcare domain. The focus of her discussion was the potential impact of Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) and LLMs (Large Language Models) in this sector.
According to Spieker, healthcare systems across the globe are reaching their capacities, showcasing the need for a transformative change. This is primarily due to the pressure that an aging population is putting on healthcare, particularly in regions where the healthcare system has performed adequately up until now. She emphasized that sustainability in such cases is under threat due to this steady increase in demand.
In contrast, low-income nations are confronted with an entirely different set of challenges. For these regions, inclusive healthcare seems unachievable due to the escalating needs brought about by climate change. Regardless of the differing challenges being faced, Spieker identified a common solution – innovative, transformative approaches that put the patient at the center of the healthcare orbit.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) finds a mention here as a key player that has been altering human interactions across numerous levels. Spieker envisions a future where AI serves as the lynchpin for a complete overhaul of the healthcare system. She was unable to draw a clear picture of the form this transformation would take, like whether it will be in the form of advanced prognosis tools or improved clinical decision-making support, but she showed unequivocal confidence in AI transforming healthcare.
The healthcare industry, as per Spieker, is poised at the cusp of a significant revolution. With tools like Generative AI and LLMs on the rise, they have the potential to make a consequential impact on this sector. The focus, she stresses, should be on leveraging this innovative technology to create a patient-centric healthcare model. This would cater to the needs of an aging demographic as well as those impacted by climate change in low-income regions.
In conclusion, while the intricate details of how AI, Generative AI, and LLMs will be deployed in the health sector remain somewhat ambiguous; the need for a transformative, patient-centric approach to healthcare is lucid. The integration of artificial intelligence in health care systems may very well be the answer to the challenges being faced by them today, leading to a sustainable and inclusive healthcare model for all. Spieker and her organization, PharmAccess, thus call for a strategic application of AI in healthcare to help mitigate global health challenges.
