Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field of computer science that aims to create machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI in medicine and healthcare is rapidly transforming the field by enhancing diagnostics, treatment plans, and patient care. AI algorithms can analyse medical data to identify patterns and insights that may be missed by humans, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, personalised treatment strategies, and improved patient outcomes.
Here are some areas in which AI is being used to improve healthcare:
Diagnosis of complex cases
Very recently, it was announced that a new AI tool (from Microsoft) can diagnose complex illnesses more accurately than most doctors. This AI tool blends the strengths of both generalists and specialists. Most doctors either have a broad base of knowledge (e.g. family physicians) or deep expertise in a particular field (e.g. specialists), but this AI combines both. In testing, this new tool correctly solved over 80 per cent of the specifically selected challenging cases, compared to just 20 per cent by human doctors. Even more impressive, it managed to do so while ordering fewer tests, suggesting a more efficient and cost-effective approach to diagnosis.
The system’s ability to update its diagnosis in real time, as more data is added, means it can adapt quickly and provide up-to-date recommendations. This is a big deal, especially in complex cases where every detail counts. Researchers say the AI’s clinical reasoning skills are beyond what any single doctor can offer, thanks to its ability to process vast amounts of information from different medical fields at once.
Despite these promising results, Microsoft is claiming that this is a pathway to “medical superintelligence”, but is not positioning this AI tool as a replacement for doctors—at least not yet. The tool is still being tested in real clinical settings to see how it performs outside of controlled experiments. Safety checks and clinical validation are ongoing, and the company says it will only move forward with broader use once these hurdles are cleared. Stay tuned.
Personalised treatment plans
AI can analyse patient data to predict individual responses to different treatments, allowing for the development of more targeted and effective treatment plans. AI-powered tools can also help optimise medication dosages, minimising side effects and maximising therapeutic benefits.
On the other hand, many of the newer classes of medications, like the monoclonal antibody treatments for a wide variety of diseases, many newer anti-cancer drugs, and the new classes of anti-obesity medications, are outside the price range of many Caribbean patients and most Caribbean National Drug Formularies, so we are unlikely to see any of these medications in the near future—or at least until patents run out, and/or effective and affordable generics become available.
Disease prevention and management
AI can analyse population health data to identify individuals at risk for certain diseases, enabling proactive interventions and preventive measures. AI can also help manage chronic diseases by providing personalised recommendations for lifestyle changes and medication adherence.
On the other hand, there seems to be limited ability and enthusiasm, if not resources, for Caribbean Ministries of Health (+ Wellness) to generate and analyse data on local populations,
At a regional level, the World Health Organisation and the Pan American Health Organisation Caribbean countries are linked with Latin American countries, but the populations of tiny islands are dwarfed by the millions of persons in Central and South America with whom we share little apart from geographic closeness. It seems likely that Caribbean islands will need to develop Caribbean-specific AI algorithms, but it is unknown whether any concrete steps have been taken or contemplated in this regard.
Ethical considerations and challenges
While AI offers tremendous potential, it is crucial to address ethical considerations related to data privacy, bias in algorithms, and the potential for job displacement. It is also important to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically in healthcare, with proper oversight and regulation. Again, this is an area in which Caribbean-specific algorithms may be needed. Clear oversight and regulations would be needed to ensure ethical use of AI in healthcare.
To most independent observers, it would seem that many Caribbean islands are experiencing a mental health pandemic, although this has not been officially recognised. The triggers for this include both violence and drugs, often interconnected, and harsh financial conditions which impact on employment opportunities and even education.
While AI is being used to develop tools to assist in mental health diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support, and can assist in scenarios where mental health professionals are in short supply, as we have here, again Caribbean-specific (or even island-specific?) algorithms will need to be developed before we can use these technology advances to improve health care.
AI companions that combine conversational AI, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and mood tracking are used to support users’ mental wellness. The best of them simulate real conversations, prioritise user privacy, and deliver interventions grounded in psychological research. However, they are not a substitute for a mental health therapist, especially in severe cases.
But there is a possible downside to all of this new technology. AI programmes can be configured to routinely answer health queries with false information that appears authoritative, complete with fake citations from real medical journals. Without better internal safeguards, widely used AI tools can be easily deployed to churn out dangerous health misinformation at high volumes. If a technology is vulnerable to misuse, malicious actors will inevitably attempt to exploit it—whether for financial gain or to cause harm,
There are many areas in medicine where AI is likely to make, and is already making, significant, valuable contributions. These include areas like the development of new drugs, where AI can analyse vast amounts of data at record speeds. The discovery and production of a variety of vaccines against COVID-19, for example, fall in this category. AI will be here when the next infectious disease pandemic arises.
AI can automate some tasks, potentially alleviating the burden on healthcare professionals and helping to address workforce shortages. Robotic systems can assist surgeons with complex procedures, improving precision and minimising invasiveness. AI can analyse medical images (like X-rays, CT Scans and MRIs) with greater accuracy and speed than humans, aiding in earlier disease detection.
By automating tasks and analysing data, AI can minimise human errors in diagnosis and treatment, leading to safer and more effective care. By its improving accuracy, efficiency, and resource allocation, AI can help reduce healthcare costs and address workforce shortages
Finally, AI can be used to train healthcare professionals and enhance patient education.
Like any other tool, whether AI can be a blessing or a curse depends on the use to which it is put, or if it is put to use at all. There is no doubt that, in the ‘real world’, AI is being increasingly used to improve global health. The question is, do we wish to advance Caribbean health care services, and the health of our people?
In the Caribbean, we have rapidly rising health costs, yet decreasing population health. The gap between the population’s need for health care and the ability of the health services to supply this care seems to be widening. At least AI seems to provide one avenue for us to adopt a new business model: ‘Business as usual’ is not working. AI should be used to complement human intelligence, but is not likely to be useful in situations where human intelligence seems to have run out of ideas.
Dr Colin V Alert is a family physician and former researcher with the Chronic Disease Research Centre.
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