Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence by machines with integrated computer programs. AI analyzes data and contributes to decision making. The computer performs human-like tasks based on algorithms. Moore's law says that computer performance increases exponentially and doubles every 18 months. On this basis, AI would surpass human intelligence by 2050. Machine learning mimics the human brain. It is fed by big data, which is a mass of heterogeneous data that are processed at a rate far beyond human capacity and in which exploitable data can be gathered. In addition to this virtual branch of AI, there is also the physical branch of robots. It has been shown that physicians surpass current diagnostic programs with respect to medical diagnosis. However, in the case of mammography, while no single AI algorithm outperformed radiologists, overall diagnostic accuracy was improved when using a set of AI algorithms combined with radiologist assessment in a single-reader screening. Only the physicians who have empathy, unlike the machines that lack this skill, may diagnose the disease. Patients’ confidence must come at the top of researchers’ priority list. Nat Med 26, 301 (2020).
Key Words
Medicine, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data