Expert Advocates Adoption of AI in Healthcare

 

By Familugba Victor

Research Specialist, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Dr Olatunji Omisore has disregarded viral controversial reports that the advent and integration of artificial intelligence into the health sector will lead to job losses.

Olatunji made this disclosure, on Tuesday, at the 4^th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, held at Glass house, Faculty of education, University of Lagos.

Themed, “Artificial Intelligence for the Future Industrialization of Medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa”, the conference gathered experts, medical practitioners and other relevant stakeholders to explore intersection of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Dr Olatunji, while delivering the keynote address laid to rest the controversial report that integration of artificial intelligence and robotics would contribute to high rate of unemployment.

He said, “The expertise of AI comes from humans, the AI system is only helping the human to perform some repetitive tasks. It gives experts abundance of opportunity to think, plan more and make wise decisions. So, in essence, it's not replacing the experts, it's only augmenting the experts.

Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Dr. Omolola Salako advised academicians, researchers, to collaborate with government to create policies that benefit the masses and the health of people.

She acknowledged the fact that health researchers are generating data on a daily basis. Hence, it's important they structure the data and position it in a way that machine learning experts, computer scientists can build models from.

“As healthcare researchers, we are generating data on a daily basis. It's important we structure this data and position it in a way that machine learning experts, computer scientists can build models from. The data set should be able to improve the state of care, especially when we generate clinical insights amongst our patients in Nigeria” she said.

Speaking on the integration of artificial intelligence in Nigeria’s health sector, Omolola said there is room for improvement. She suggested partnership among stakeholders in the health sector to record progress.

“There's room for improvement. Wherever a new trend, a new field comes up, you always find early adopters amongst the healthcare professionals, amongst researchers, taking up this. But we have to use a new strategy and we have to evolve in the way we partner” she said.

Pharmacist, Esther Alufohai commended the speakers for sharing insightful ideas on the integration of artificial Intelligence and Robotics in healthcare.

“The conference was very educative; I must commend the speakers for sharing insightful ideas on the integration of artificial Intelligence and Robotics in healthcare. I liked the fact that the policy experts were able to show how governance is important, how the need for proper allocation of funds that will be able to aid AI training for experts” she said.