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How AI Robotics are Transforming the Health Care Industry – ReadWrite

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Abeer Raza


Two of the most futuristic technologies that the world is leveraging today are AI and Robotics. Implementing these two technologies can lead to innovations in several industry verticals, including the healthcare industry.

AI Robotics are Transforming the Health Care Industry

AI and Robotics are already working in several healthcare establishments. They’re carrying out tasks such as genetic testing, robotic surgery, cancer research, data collection, and more.

Additionally, in the dermatology sector, AI is detecting skin cancer. The process of detecting skin cancer involves a technology, “MelaFind,” that uses infrared light to evaluate the skin condition. Afterward, with its sophisticated algorithms, AI evaluates the scanned data to determine skin cancer’s seriousness.

When it comes to the healthcare industry, there are several disciplines that AI and Robotics need to cover.

AI and Robotics require more unveiling and continued experimentation to become an integral part of the industry and bring innovations through these emerging technologies.

AI and Robotics can fill in the medical and healthcare industry gaps.

Numerous Innovations and discoveries are going out there due to the implementation of AI and robotics, and the positive experience from these implementations predicts the viability and benefits of deploying and utilizing AI and Robotics in the healthcare sector.

However, the most important question still remains unanswered; “are we ready to hand over the life and death decisions to the machines?”, “can machines decisively indicate whether the care being provided to a patient is enough or not?”

Answering the questions mentioned above may not be easy because there are numerous challenges and difficulties that the application of AI and Robotics may give rise to. However, one thing’s for sure: AI and Robotics are destined to become an integral part of the healthcare industry.

The implementations of AI and Robotics in the healthcare industry.

We’ll be covering several parts of the healthcare industry where this technology could alleviate the overstraining processes in healthcare delivery.

Below are some of the existing examples of implementation of AI and Robotics in the healthcare domain:

  • Determining the patient’s priority assessments in emergency service.
  • Automated health tracking of patients.
  • Quick and continuous supply of medicine and equipment throughout the hospital floors via intelligent robots.
  • Interacting with patients via vocals or facial recognition.
  • Programming personalized health programs in robots enable users to leverage them for multifunctional purposes.

The benefits mentioned above/implementations are a reality today. After having an overview of the viability, performance, and features of the technology, let’s discuss how AI and Robotics are improving the healthcare sector.

Intro to AI & Robotics in Healthcare Sector

AI and Robotics have already proved to be prevalent in the healthcare industry. The ubiquitous growth of these two technologies has the potential to transform numerous aspects of healthcare.

From providing personal care to patients to automating the drug production process, AI and Robotics can ensure a faster roll-out date and an efficient and accurate operation.

Moreover, there are several big tech firms out there that are capitalizing on AI and Robotics to improve the healthcare infrastructure. For example, Google is collaborating with the healthcare delivery network to build prediction models.

These prediction models by Google are based on big data and machine learning technology. They can warn the clinicians of high-risk conditions of the patient, such as heart failure or sepsis.

Furthermore, Microsoft is also focusing on transforming the healthcare industry by building and fostering a culture of intelligent health through AI and Cloud in healthcare organizations.

With so many tech-savvy companies involved in the fray, the AI and Robotics implementation is destined to prosper and revolutionize how the healthcare industry provides health care. Moreover, here are some way in which AI and Robotics are improving the healthcare industry currently:

1.   Supplementary Robots

These robots are generally aimed towards distributing stocks all around the hospital or wherever they’re needed. We’ve discussed these types of robots above as well; however, their importance and viability need to be explained furthermore.

In hospitals, there are times when multiple patients require instant medication or assistance. In such situations, the staff is usually in a hurry to assist the patient instead of carrying out other tasks. Hence, supplementary robots today are quickly taking care of tasks such as restocking, taking out the trash, and cleaning while the humans are spending more time with the patient.

A great example of a supplementary robot would be the automated UV Light Disinfectant Robot that goes into each hospital room and delivers a measured dose of UVC light to disinfect the targeted area. This robot also reduces significant pathogens in direct and shadowed areas.

2.   Exceptional Precision

Multiple robotic systems used in the world’s top hospitals today provide immense feasibility in carrying out more complex tasks at a rapid and accurate pace.

Robot’s concrete focus and attentive robots further strengthen their core functionality and enable them to perform tasks with extreme precision. These robots are backed by AI that allows them to learn while performing tasks. Due to such traits of robots, their importance in a health care organization cannot be denied.

As long as the software is correctly programmed within the robots, there are no chances of failure; however, human supervision is necessary. It’s a fact that robots need continual checkups and maintenance to work properly; hence, human intervention is crucial for now.

Moreover, some robots are also tasked to reallocate supplies throughout the hospital using specially designed routes and elevators within a hospital.

Another fine example of excellent precision would be the micro-robots used to perform micro-surgeries such as unclogging blood vessels. However, human intervention or supervision may be required to overlook the entire process or continually maintain the robotic systems.

3.   Remote Treatment

The idea of remote treatment has been there for more than a decade now. The technology was initially halted due to the poor network connectivity at the time of its implementation. However, further developments and experiments were conducted after the invention of 4G and 5G networks.

Today, although human intervention is required in the remote treatment sector, machines can perform several complex tasks independently.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense-funded the research at Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh’s University to create a robotic trauma care system for treating soldiers.

Another impressive technological marvel is the bot-pill that performs an endoscopy in a very comfortable way compared to other options. Generally, the bot takes pictures of your intestines as it travels through them, and you can eliminate it naturally.

4.   Accurate Diagnostics

The precise and accurate diagnostics of human health conditions is where AI truly shines. The AI detects patterns that are leading the patient towards various health conditions. It determines the patient’s current state by analyzing and studying the healthcare records and data.

Tests so far have concluded that AI is capable of accurately diagnosing diseases in 87% of the cases. In contrast, health condition detection by humans had an 86% accuracy rate. This accuracy is further supported by the fact that Robots and AI can skim through thousands of cases instantly, looking for correlations between hundreds of variables.

Moreover, IBM Watson, healthcare technology, has hit the 99% mark in diagnosing cancer. Hence, considering the percentages mentioned above, I pretty much assume that AI and Robotics can rival even the finest doctors of the world when it comes to diagnostics.

5.   Performing Daily Tasks

Robots can perform daily tasks and carry out several functions that were being performed by humans. For example, a robot can make a sick or elderly person/patient feel attended all the time, minimizing the need for human presence. These robots are programmed to act as personal assistance.

Moreover, robots can also engage patients in conversations, help them take their medicine on time by reminding them, and even perform a basic checkup on them to analyze their health condition from time to time. Some simple routine checkups may include evaluating the patient’s blood pressure, sugar levels, and temperature.

Additionally, the technology of robots engaged in the task mentioned above is based on AI and machine learning; hence, they continuously learn from their patients’ experience. This learning further modifies their personality and sentiment analysis capabilities.

6.   Assisting Patients & Medical Practitioners

Some specific robots are designed to help the medical staff focus on other essential aspects of the hospital. These robots are helping patients by assisting them in walking or monitoring their health status.

Before the dawn of AI and Robots, tasks such as helping a patient walk, assisting the patient for his/her checkup, taking the history of the patient’s illness were manual and time-consuming. However, today these tasks can be easily automated and quickly carried out by machines.

Moreover, today, robots are helping humans with everything from minimally invasive procedures to complex open-heart surgeries. The technologies integrated within the machines like a built-in camera, mechanical arms, and surgical equipment provide more precision, flexibility, and control beyond human capabilities.

Another excellent example of these robots can be the prosthetic legs designed by Hugh Herr. The biomechatronic feet allow the user to walk independently without human intervention.

The sensors in these bionic feet connect with the person’s muscles and allow more mobility and stability. These sensors perfectly replicate human feet’ functioning and give the user more advantage over the original feet.

The Promising Future of AI & Robotics in Healthcare

Many experts agree that the future of AI and Robotics seems promising. However, AI or robots will not be taking full control over the healthcare industry anytime soon. Human intervention and supervision would still be an essential factor in ensuring 100% accuracy in the overall process.

Also, the patients are known to develop a closer relationship with their doctors, nurses, or other medical staff. This specific relationship gives patients a feeling of not being alone. This feeling can never be replicated by machines or robots. Hence, humans will always be there with AI and robotics to cure patients and deliver a comforting and soothing experience together.

Moreover, the viability of AI and robotics is destined to prosper in upcoming years. The healthcare advantages that machine learning and robotics are unparallel to what we could accomplish manually.

From improving the clinical workflow to pinpointing the exact cause of a patient’s particular medical condition, AI and robotics benefit the healthcare domain. Hence, it is quite apparent that AI will ultimately master the healthcare domain in the future.

Abeer Raza

Founding Partner

A Serial Entrepreneur, Author, Growth Hacker, Business Consultant and Keynote Speaker.
I’m on a mission to revolutionize the world by helping other entrepreneurs disrupt their domains using emerging technology solutions. I enjoy guiding today’s leaders and revolutionary thinkers by making sure their visions are brought to life in the most effective way possible.

Politics

Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

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Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

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Politics

Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

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Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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Politics

UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

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Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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