WebsEdge/Health

AI is driving all aspects of our society, optimising systems for the benefit of individuals. Medicine is no different. But what does an AI Hospital look like? “Innovative AI Hospital System”, a Japanese government program aims to determine this based on collaborations with basic scientists, clinicians and industry. The program is led by Dr. Yusuke Nakamura, the renowned geneticist and developer of the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). For him, the AI Hospital is the logical next step in the development of precision medicine – allowing clinicians to make better informed decisions with more successful outcomes, while at the same time allowing them to spend more time with patients. Faster, more accurate testing will form the basis of the AI Hospital. At the Cancer Precision Medicine Center within the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, research scientist Siew-Kee (Amanda) Low and her team are working on establishing a highly sensitive blood test to detect cancer at early stages when survival rates are higher. AI and the internet of things is allowing all kinds of systems to talk to each other and to operate more effectively. In the medical setting this means ensuring all aspects of the patient experience are connected and that the system is patient friendly. Researchers at Keio University are working on building this next generation approach to the medical care system. Finally, to free up the time of clinicians to better take care of patients, and to optimise the day to day operation of the hospital, intelligent robotics is also key. At Hitachi, researchers are working on building advanced, intelligent robotics that can engage in complex relationships with patients in the AI Hospital. From better testing to better-connected services, to freeing up doctors to spend more time with patients, the AI Hospital will fundamentally improve the way hospitals are run, and the “Innovative AI Hospital System” Program aims to put Japan at the forefront of this change.