GenAI Reshaping Healthcare in India Despite Cyber Risks
New Delhi, Dec 22: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is revolutionizing the healthcare sector in India, introducing new possibilities for patient care, diagnostics, and medical data interpretation. Despite its transformative potential, concerns about cyber risks loom large.
A recent report by GlobalData highlighted GenAI’s impact across the medical value chain, influencing research and development, imaging, diagnostics, patient care, and support for improved patient outcomes.
Pavan Choudary, Chairman of MTaI, stated, “GenAI has reshaped the healthcare delivery system, elevating patient care through diagnostic imaging and improving predictability in life-threatening scenarios.”
The introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022 further amplified GenAI’s influence. The AI chatbot, excelling in human-like conversation and even passing medical exams, showcased its potential by diagnosing a chronic condition that eluded 17 doctors in the US.
GenAI’s applications extend to recommending diagnostic advice based on patient symptoms, reducing hospital staff workload, increasing patient flow efficiency, and saving costs. Studies have shown its efficacy in providing correct diagnoses and generating realistic doctor’s notes.
Nikhil Mathur, Managing Director – India at GfK, emphasized GenAI’s role in personalized medicine, accelerating diagnostics, and reshaping the healthcare and wellness industry.
Public health expert Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta predicts GenAI’s integration into India’s healthcare delivery by 2024 or 2025, especially in primary care for common acute ailments.
While widespread adoption could reduce costs and increase transparency, concerns about data safety, algorithm biases, and ethical considerations necessitate robust cybersecurity measures. Recent incidents of data theft, including at the Indian Council of Medical Research and the UK’s National Health Service, highlight the urgency of addressing cyber threats.
Dr. Gupta stressed the need for healthcare professionals to embrace technology and called for investments in security and privacy measures. The World Health Organization has also cautioned against potential biases in AI models and emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with cybersecurity in healthcare.
As GenAI transforms healthcare, stakeholders must navigate these challenges to ensure a positive impact while safeguarding patient information and privacy.
