Google Emphasizes AI’s Role in Revolutionizing Healthcare New Delhi, Nov 5: Google has underlined the transformative potential of the next generation of AI and large language models (LLMs) in bringing high-quality and affordable healthcare to people worldwide, with a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion, according to Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer at Google.
Dr. DeSalvo likened the impact of AI on healthcare to the discovery of penicillin, with the potential to revolutionize global health on a massive scale. She stressed that AI, when developed boldly and responsibly, could become a powerful catalyst for health equity, benefiting people everywhere.
Google is actively integrating AI into its products to provide assistance in various everyday situations. This includes enabling individuals to access mental health resources through Search, aiding in identifying skin conditions with Google Lens, offering health insights on irregular heart rhythms, and enhancing heart rate tracking accuracy with Fitbit.
Furthermore, Google is advancing its research to make healthcare more accessible across critical diseases, particularly in breast and colorectal cancer screening and chest X-ray imaging, by applying AI.
As the healthcare landscape evolves with the introduction of the next wave of AI, Dr. DeSalvo stressed the importance of three key approaches: developing AI responsibly, collaborating with others, and recognizing that AI is just one of several tools for improving health. She cautioned that if AI is not developed and deployed responsibly, it could exacerbate existing disparities.
Google is committed to ensuring that AI technologies are inclusive and that the advancement of AI is undertaken in a responsible manner. Collaboration with the healthcare ecosystem and the individuals it serves remains a central pillar of Google’s approach. In summary, Google envisions AI as a vital component in the quest to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and equitable, emphasizing the need for responsible development and close collaboration with the healthcare community.
