Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in recent years, especially with the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs). But AI’s story didn’t begin with chatbots or mind-bending video generation — its roots stretch back over 80 years.
In 1943, Dr. Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts laid the groundwork for artificial neural networks, planting a seed that would sprawl into today’s AI revolution. Decades of cumulative innovation, including breakthroughs in parallel-computing hardware like GPUs, have brought us to this moment.
Are we standing at the dawn of a transformative era where AI reshapes the world? Or are we riding a speculative wave, teetering on the edge of a bubble? My belief firmly rests on the former.
The challenges in healthcare
Healthcare is a notoriously complex and conservative field. Regulation and legislation form a labyrinth that often stifles change. The system is rigid, and sometimes for good reasons. While AI need not and cannot change all these issues directly, it holds the potential to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and on a whole making healthcare more adaptable to change.
Staffing remains another significant challenge. Post-pandemic, many healthcare professionals are prioritising work-life balance, with some exploring opportunities outside traditional clinical roles. This has left the frontline workforce strained by burnout and staffing shortages. Thoughtfully implemented AI solutions, such as automated workflows or virtual assistants, could alleviate some of this burden, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on tasks that require human expertise and empathy.
The standards AI must meet
In healthcare, accuracy and patient safety aren’t just ideals — they’re non-negotiable. Mistakes in a chatbot recommending dinner are harmless; errors in a clinical setting can be catastrophic. Before healthcare AI can be trusted, it must undergo rigorous testing and adhere to the highest safety standards. Trust is hard-earned in medicine, and once lost, it’s nearly impossible to regain.
Reflecting on the HELF AI’s Journey
Building HELF AI has been a deeply personal and rewarding journey. Our CTO and COO are computing prodigies, and our engineers have dedicated countless hours – weekends, late nights – to creating a reliable product. I vividly remember presenting HELF to senior doctors in Singapore, feeling both nervous and hopeful. Their nods of approval were the ultimate validation of our work. That trust continues to drive us as we prepare to take some of our products into clinical trials in 2025.
Also Read: Running on empty: What happens when AI models run out of data?
The road ahead
Where do we go from here? As we stand on the brink of a new year — and perhaps, a new era — I have a wish list for the collective human effort driving AI forward:
- Invest in computational neuroscience
Transformers, the foundation of modern LLMs, are just the beginning. Addressing challenges like hallucinations may require exploring biologically inspired designs or training paradigms. Imagine 3D architectures that mimic the depth and complexity of the human brain. The closer we align AI designs with biology, the more intelligent and efficient these systems could become.
- Foster collaboration between startups and governments
Governments are making strides in national AI strategies, but startups bring agility and innovation to the table. In Singapore, the government’s efforts to build a national AI backbone are commendable. By fostering partnerships with startups and sharing datasets, both sides can drive meaningful advancements. Collaboration is key to accelerating progress and ensuring that AI solutions are both scalable and impactful.
- Encourage doctors to embrace AI
I understand the hesitation among medical professionals. Medicine has long relied on its monopoly of deep knowledge and expertise to maintain its standing. But AI isn’t here to replace doctors – it’s here to augment them. Whether it’s predictive analytics, natural language processing, or computer vision, AI can be a powerful ally. The key is understanding its capabilities and limitations to use it effectively. At HELF, we believe that the doctor-patient relationship is sacred, and we pledge never to disrupt that bond.
Goodbye or see you?
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s important to remember that AI is just a tool. Throughout history, disruptive technologies — from the wheel to the printing press to the internet — have been met with both excitement and deep anxiety. Yet, they ultimately made life better. AI is no different. It’s here to complement human expertise, not replace it.
To my fellow doctors and AI engineers: let’s approach 2025 with optimism. Together, we can build a future where healthcare is not only more efficient but also more humane. By embracing AI’s potential while upholding the highest standards of safety and ethics, we can ensure that this technology benefits everyone – patients, professionals, and society at large. Kanpai 乾杯!
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