Benjamin Lee BS, Christopher J Peterson MD, MS
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have advanced rapidly in recent years and now have the potential to change medicine. This review provides an introduction to AI and the potential it has to affect medical practice. Specific examples of past milestones particularly in the domain of critical care are presented, including ML models that can interpret chest x-rays or predict clinical outcomes such as extubation failure or ICU mortality. Included is a brief general discussion of what AI is, how it is made, and how physicians will be involved with it. Arguments are then presented as to why AI will likely not leave physicians without a job, including expectations vs. reality, that AI still requires human supervision, that new discoveries bring new challenges, and that AI cannot design itself. Far from displacing physicians, AI, if implemented well, stands poised to automate repetitive tasks, making physicians more accurate, and allowing them to spend more time with patients.
Keywords: Machine learning; artificial intelligence; medicine; technology
Article citation: Lee B, Peterson CJ. Machine learning and medicine-A brief introduction. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2022;10(45):28–36
From: School of Medicine (BL, CJP), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas; College of Engineering (BL), Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas
Submitted: 4/11/2022
Accepted: 10/5/2022
Conflicts of interest: none
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