In contrast to fears that the widespread use of artificial intelligence will dehumanize healthcare, the vast majority of medical professionals who regularly use AI say it improves workflows and reduces clinical error, according to a new report.
The MIT Technology Review and GE Healthcare surveyed more than 900 healthcare professionals in the U.S. and U.K. about the impact of AI on their careers. Seven out of 10 providers are considering adopting or have already adopted AI, according to the report, and nearly half of those surveyed said the technology has increased their ability to spend time with and provide care to patients.
Here are three additional takeaways from the report:
1. About 80 percent of respondents said AI has been instrumental in removing workplace barriers and reducing employee burnout: Almost as many said their AI deployments have already created workflow improvements, and healthcare professionals at organizations with robust AI initiatives were found to spend nearly 66 percent less time than their counterparts writing reports.
2. Additionally, just under 70 percent of those surveyed said that, since implementing AI technology, they have spent more time collaborating with other staff and across clinical areas, a practice that could ultimately lead to major improvements in care quality and precision medicine.
3. With many respondents seeing "immediate gains" in reducing clinical error, three-quarters said implementing AI has led to better predictions in treating disease. Nearly half predicted that the technology will enable more accurate diagnoses and a deeper focus on preventive medicine.