A PeerJ Computer Science Special Issue featuring research aiming to transform healthcare by utilizing Artificial Intelligence.
“This is a New Era of Technological Healthcare, providing tools and methods to empower medical treatments. Machine learning and sensors can promote these advances.” – Ivan Miguel Pires, Adjunct Professor, Universidade de Aveiro.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have significantly impacted healthcare through a progressive integration of technology. The early use of computers in healthcare began with administrative tasks, but by the late 1950s and 1960s, researchers began exploring more complex applications, such as medical diagnosis. The development of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in the late 1960s and 1980s laid the groundwork for advanced data analysis in healthcare. Early AI and expert systems, such as MYCIN, were among the first to apply AI in clinical decision-making. The rise of the internet and health information technology in the 1990s and 2000s further accelerated the integration of AI and ML. Today, AI and ML are integral to various aspects of healthcare, aiming to personalize care, improve outcomes, and make healthcare more efficient.
“We hope to transform and innovate, enhancing access to more efficient healthcare, using technologically supported methodologies“. Carlos Albuquerque, Professor, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu.
AI and ML are set to revolutionize healthcare in several ways. They will improve diagnostic accuracy, predict disease outbreaks, and manage healthcare costs. Wearable technology and remote monitoring will be integrated, enabling timely interventions and better chronic condition management. AI will enhance robotic surgery, streamline administrative tasks, and accelerate drug discovery. Telemedicine and virtual health services will expand, especially in underserved areas.
“We hope to transform and innovate, enhancing access to more efficient healthcare, using technologically supported methodologies” – Paulo Coelho, Professor, Polytechnic of Leiria.
However, ethical, privacy, and regulatory challenges will be crucial. Healthcare professionals will need new skills to work effectively with AI and ML technologies. AI can also address global health challenges, such as disease surveillance and health equity. The future of AI and ML in healthcare is about integrating these technologies ethically, patient-centered, and globally inclusive, aiming to enhance healthcare quality, accessibility, and effectiveness.
“This research will help Transform healthcare with AI, making patient care more affordable and accessible through innovation, precision, and personalized medical solutions for a healthier future.” Eftim Zdravevski, Associate Professor, St. Cyril and Methodius University.
This Special Issue aims to explore the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the healthcare sector. As we stand on the brink of a healthcare revolution driven by digital innovation, this issue seeks to delve into the myriad ways AI and ML are reshaping patient care, medical diagnostics, treatment strategies, healthcare administration, and public health.
To find out more, and to submit your abstract, see: https://peerj.com/special-issues/137-rev-healthcare