Artificial Intelligence and Precision Medicine

Jaya Sra
students x students
24 min readMar 13, 2023

--

Precision medicine is an emerging approach to clinical research and patient care that focuses on understanding and treating disease by integrating multi-model or multi-omics data. This data helps to make patient-tailored healthcare. Instead of developing treatments for populations and making the same medical diseases based on a few physical characteristics. Precision medicine incorporates all factors, to make a perfect fit for disease. The one key thing allowing precision medicine to grow at a rapid pace is artificial intelligence (AI)

What Is Precision Medicine:

Precision medicine is an approach to healthcare that tailors medical treatments and prevention strategies to the individual characteristics of each patient. This includes their genetic makeup, lifestyle, environment, and other factors. Precision medicine is made possible by advances in technology including genetic testing and electronic health records, which allow doctors to gather more detailed information about patients. This information is then used to develop personalized treatment plans that take into consideration every patient's needs.

The information collected for precision medicine represents information from multiple domains. These domains include:

Medical/healthcare:

Medical/healthcare data refers to the information that is collected by doctors. This includes data related to patient care such as medical records, lab results, doctor appointment reports, imaging, and more. Medical/healthcare data is typically collected and stored in electronic health records (EHRs), which are digital records that contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, and any other information that may be relevant.

Genetics/genomics/integrative biology information:

Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variations in living organisms. It focuses on the molecular structure and function of genes, as well as their role in determining human traits and the passing on of genetic information. Genomics is the study of the entire genome, which is the completer set of DNA within an organism. It involves the analysis of genes, their interactions, and the genetic variations that contribute to the diversity of life.

Information related to genetics, genomics, and integrative biology is essential to precision medicine. It helps us understand the underlying mechanisms of disease, develop new treatments and therapies, and advance our understanding of human biology and evolution. This information can be used to identify genetic risk factors for disease, design targeted therapies, and develop personalized medicine approaches based on the individual genetic makeup

Behavioural Information:

Behavioural information refers to data related to an individual's actions, habits, and lifestyle choices. This can include information such as exercise habits, diet, sleep patterns, and substance use. It can also include data related to mental health and emotional well-being symptoms of things such as depression or anxiety. This information is collected through self-surveys, but mainly through interviews with health care professionals. It may also be ordered through wearable devices or other technologies that track an individual's behaviour.

Social and physical factors:

The physical environment refers to the natural and built surroundings in which people live, work, and interact. This includes the physical features of the landscape, such as mountains, rivers and forests, as well as the built environment, such as buildings, roads, and public spaces. Social factors refer to things such as how is the person's quality of life. How much do they make, and are they able to live a healthy lifestyle?

“Omics”:

Omics is where precision medicine takes the most data from. There has been a revolution in “omics” leading to more “omic” sources. This includes genomics(stated earlier), proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, and more.

Proteomics:

Proteomics is the study of the entire set of proteins present in a cell, or tissue organism. This involves a large-scale analysis of a protein structure, function, and interactions. This technique is used to identify and quantify proteins, characterize post-translation modifications, and determine protein-on-protein interactions. The study of proteomics has many applications in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, and drug discovery It can be used to identify biomarkers, understand the molecular basis of drug resistance, and develop new therapeutics based on protein targets.

Epigenomics:

Epigenomics is the study of epigenetic modifications across the entire genome of an organism. Epigenetics refers to the heritable changes in gene expression that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications can include DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodelling, and non-coding RNA molecules. These modifications can regulate gene expression and impact cellular differentiation, development, and disease. Epigenomic studies involve genome-wide mapping of epigenetic modifications using high-throughput sequencing technologies. These studies aim to identify epigenetic changes that occur during normal development and aging, as well as in disease states such as cancer, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Epigenomic research has the potential to lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for a wide range of diseases

Metabolomics:

Metabolomics is a field of study that focuses on the comprehensive analysis of all metabolites in a biological sample. Metabolites are small molecules that are involved in biochemical processes in living organisms, and their concentrations can be influenced.

The History Of Precision Medicine

The history of precision medicine can be traced back to the early 20th century when scientists first began to understand the genetic basis of disease. One of the early pioneers in the field of precision medicine was a British physician named Archibald Garood. In 1902 Archibald Garrod first suggested that certain diseases could be caused by genetic mutations that affect the body's ability to metabolize certain chemicals. Archibald Garrod's work laid the foundation for the emerging field of medical genetics, which would later become one of the most important components of precision medicine.

On the decades that later followed, scientists continued to make important advances in understanding the genetics of diseases. One of the most significant breakthroughs came in 1953 when James Waston and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA(the molecule that carries genetic information). This discovery by James Watson and Francis Crick paved the way for the development of new tools and techniques for studying genes and understanding their role in different diseases.

Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, the development of new technologies such as DNA sequencing and gene editing opened up a whole new world of possibilities for precision medicine. This led to researchers being able to identify genetic mutations that are associated with specific diseases. They were then able to develop new treatments that are targeted at these mutations. One of the early success stories of precision medicine was the development of Imatinib, this is a drug that targets a specific genetic mutation found in certain types of leukemia

In more recent years, precision medicine has continued to advance at a very rapid pace. The development of new genomic technologies has made it possible to sequence an individual's entire genome quickly and at a relatively low cost, making personalized medicine more accessible than ever before. Today, precision medicine is now being used to treat a wide range of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Precision medicine is now expected to play an increasingly important role in the future of healthcare.

Precision medicine deals with a lot of different data. And precision medicine needs AI in order to process these large sets of data.

What’s AI:

Artificial intelligence refers to the ability of machine or computer systems to perform tasks that typically requires human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Artificial intelligence systems and designed to operate autonomously, learn from experience, adapt to new inputs, and improve their performance over time. At its core, artificial intelligence is about creating machines that can simulate human thinking and behaviour. Artificial intelligence technology is based on a combination of algorithms, statistical models, and data inputs, which enable the machine to recognize patterns, make predictions and take actions based on that data. Artificial intelligence systems can process large amounts of data at high speed, which makes artificial intelligence ideal for certain tasks.

Artificial intelligence can be classified into three categories, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Overall, it’s a complex and multifaceted field that is constantly evolving. Researchers and engineers are continually developing new algorithms and models to improve the performance and capabilities of AI systems, and there is no doubt that AI will play an increasingly important role in the field of medicine and precision medicine.

History of AI:

The history of Artificial intelligence can be traced back to the mid-20th century, but the real roots of artificial intelligence can go back much further. The idea of creating machines that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence has fascinated scientists and thinkers for centuries. The modern history of artificial intelligence can be traced back to 1956, when a group of scientists, including John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, and Claude Shannon, organized a conference called the Dartmouth Conference. The Dartmouth Conference is considered to be the birthplace of artificial intelligence. This conference brought together many researchers from various disciplines, this included computer science, mathematics, and psychology. They disused the possibility of creating machines that could think and learn like humans

In the decades that later followed, artificial intelligence research progressed at a very rapid pace. New technologies were created, and these technologies helped computers perform complex tasks. One of the very early successes of artificial intelligence was the development of expert systems in the 1970s and the 1980s, these were designed to solve complex problems in specific domains such as medicine and finance.

Later, in the 1990s, artificial intelligence research faced a period of decline, as the limitation of existing approaches became more and more apparent. However, the field experience a sort of “rebirth” or resurgence in the 2000s. This was driven by advances in machine learning and the availability of vast amounts of data. Machine learning is a type of AI that allows computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed.

In today's world, artificial intelligence is used in a wide range of applications, including image and speech recognition, natural language processing, autonomous vehicles and robotics. Artificial intelligence is now being used in fields such as healthcare, finance, and other inductees to improve efficiency and productivity. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new techniques and applications, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning. These have the potential to revolutionize many areas of human activity. As artificial intelligence does come with all its advantaged there are some ethical and social concerns regarding it, including bias, privacy, job displacement, and more.

What is machine learning:

I briefly mentioned machine learning earlier, machine learning is considered a subset of artificial intelligence. It’s a branch of artificial intelligence that involves developing algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to learn from data, without being explicitly programmed. In other words, machine learning algorithms enable computers to automatically improve their performance on a specific task through experience or training data. The process of machine learning involves feeding large amounts of data to a computer algorithm, which then analyzes and identifies patterns and relationships within the data. These patterns and relationships are then used to make predictions or decisions about new data.

As said earlier there are three types, unsupervised, supervised, and reinforcement.

1. Supervised Learning.

Where the algorithm is trained on labelled data to make predictions or classify new data. In supervised learning, the machine is provided with a dataset that has both input and output data, and the algorithm learns to recognize patterns and make predictions based on the input data. For example, a supervised learning algorithm can be trained to recognize images of cats and dogs by learning to differentiate between labelled images of cats and dogs.

2. Unsupervised Learning

Where the algorithm aims to identify patterns in unlabeled data without any predefined outcomes. In unsupervised learning, the machine is not provided with labelled data but is instead left to identify patterns and relationships in the data on its own. In doing so, it can automatically identify clusters of similar cases within a data set. Once different clusters are identified they canbe visualized or further analyzed. This type of learning is often used for clustering data or identifying outliers. For example, an unsupervised learning algorithm can be used to group customers based on their shopping habits without any prior knowledge of their preferences.

3. Reinforcement Learning

Where the algorithm learns to take actions in an environment to maximize a reward or minimize a penalty. In reinforcement learning, the machine learns through trial and error by taking actions and receiving feedback based on the outcome of those actions. The goal is to maximize a reward or minimize a penalty over time. For example, a reinforcement learning algorithm can be used to teach a robot how to navigate a maze by learning which actions lead to rewards and which lead to penalties.

Neural networks:

Artificial neural networks are inspired by the connectivity of neurons and structures found within the human brain. Theres input layers, multiple hidden layers, and an output layer. Each layer has multiple artificial neurons (all connected) these are typically connected to the neurons in the next layer (feed-forward network). The number of neurons in the input layer is typically equal to the number of input features. The number of neutrons in the output layer is typically equal to the number of classes in case of a classification problem. So by increasing the number of hidden layers and neurons in each layer, the network has an increasing ability to solve more complex non-linear problems. However, as this happens it becomes more difficult to optimize and train the model. Artificial neural networks with many hidden layers are often called deep neural networks.

Deep neural networks

Deep neural networks(DNNs) are a subset of machine learning. One of its main purposes in precision medicine is image analysis.

These deep learning techniques are used for medical technology, and it currently holds great promise in medical image classification, image quality improvement, and segmentation. Deep neural networks are particularly good for image analysis.

1. Image segmentation:

DNNs can be used for accurate and automated segmentation of anatomical structures and lesions in medical images. For example, DNNs have been used for the segmentation of brain tumours, liver tumours, lung nodules, and other structures of interest.

2. Disease detection and classification:

DNNs can be used to classify medical images into different categories based on the presence or absence of disease or pathology. For example, DNNs can be used to detect breast cancer, lung cancer, and other diseases based on medical imaging data

3. Image registration:

DNNs can be used for the alignment and registration of medical images from different modalities or time points. This can be useful in monitoring disease progression, planning surgical interventions, and other applications.

4. Image enhancement:

DNNs can be used for image denoising, super-resolution, and other forms of image enhancement to improve the quality of medical images.

5. Image synthesis:

DNNs can be used for generating synthetic medical images, which can be used for training other models, augmenting training datasets, and other applications.

Artificial Intelligence And Precision Medicine

One of the current problems in the field of precision medicine is accessibility. The number of patients who receive the most appropriate care/treatment is very low. And now that you have learnt about both AI and precision medicine what’s the connection?

Instead of developing treatments for populations and making the same medical decisions based on a few similar physical characteristics among patients, medicine has shifted towards precision medicine. And evidentiary AI has been the key to this shift.

As the national institutes of health described it, there is no precision medicine without AI. Precision medicine requires artificial intelligence and here are examples of new ways that AI is being used in the field of precision medicine.

Examples:

1. AI and pharmacogenomics.

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual’s genetic makeup affects their response to drugs. AI can play an important role in pharmacogenomics by analyzing large amounts of genetic data and identifying patterns that can help personalize drug therapy. AI can help identify genetic variants that may impact drug efficacy or toxicity, and can also help predict a patient’s response to a particular drug. By analyzing data from clinical trials and electronic health records, AI can help identify subpopulations of patients who may benefit from a particular drug, or who may be at increased risk of adverse drug reactions. The integration of AI and pharmacogenomics has the potential to revolutionize drug therapy, by enabling personalized treatments that are tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup.

2. AI and radiology.

AI is revolutionizing the field of radiology by enabling more accurate and efficient diagnoses of medical images. AI algorithms can analyze medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, and provide insights that can help radiologists make more informed diagnoses. AI can help identify abnormalities in medical images that may be difficult for the human eye to detect and can help detect patterns in large amounts of data that could indicate the presence of a particular disease or condition. For example, AI algorithms can be trained to identify early signs of cancer in mammography images, or to detect signs of stroke in brain images. AI can also help improve the efficiency of radiology workflows. By automating repetitive tasks such as image segmentation and annotation, AI can help radiologists save time and focus on more complex tasks that require human expertise. AI can also help prioritize urgent cases and ensure that patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible.AI is revolutionizing the field of radiology by enabling more accurate and efficient diagnosis of medical images.

3. AI and image detection

AI can help identify abnormalities in medical images that may be difficult for the human eye to detect, and can help detect patterns in large amounts of data that could indicate the presence of a particular disease or condition. For example, AI algorithms can be trained to identify early signs of cancer in mammography images, or to detect signs of stroke in brain images.AI can also help improve the efficiency of radiology workflows. By automating repetitive tasks such as image segmentation and annotation, AI can help radiologists save time and focus on more complex tasks that require human expertise. AI can also help prioritize urgent cases and ensure that patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible.

4. Voice biomarkers

Voice biomarkers refer to unique features of a person’s voice that can provide insight into their health and well-being. AI can play an important role in analyzing voice biomarkers to identify potential health issues and monitor the progression of diseases. AI algorithms can analyze recordings of a person’s voice to detect changes in pitch, tone, and other features that may indicate the presence of a particular condition or disease. For example, changes in voice patterns may indicate the onset of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Similarly, changes in voice patterns may indicate the presence of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or other neurological disorders. Voice biomarkers can also be used to monitor the progression of chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease. By analyzing changes in a person’s voice over time, AI can help identify changes in their condition and provide early warning of potential complications.

5. Drug efficiency

AI can help predict drug efficacy by analyzing large amounts of biological and clinical data to identify patterns that may indicate how a patient will respond to a particular drug. By combining data from genetic testing, electronic health records, and other sources, AI algorithms can identify biomarkers and other indicators that may be predictive of drug response. For example, AI can be used to identify genetic variants that may impact a patient’s response to a particular drug. By analyzing large amounts of genetic data, AI algorithms can identify patterns that may indicate which patients are more likely to respond positively to a particular drug, and which patients may be at increased risk of adverse drug reactions. AI can also be used to predict the effectiveness of combination therapies, by analyzing the interactions between different drugs and how they may impact different pathways in the body. By simulating the effects of different drug combinations, AI can help identify the most effective treatment options for a particular patient.

6. Identifying Patients

AI can play an important role in identifying patients who are best matched for a given therapy by analyzing large amounts of patient data and identifying patterns that may indicate which patients are most likely to benefit from a particular treatment. By analyzing data from electronic health records, genetic testing, and other sources, AI algorithms can identify biomarkers and other indicators that may be predictive of treatment response. This can help identify subpopulations of patients who are more likely to respond positively to a particular treatment, or who may be at increased risk of adverse drug reactions. AI can also help identify potential drug-drug interactions, by analyzing data from multiple sources and predicting how different treatments may interact in a particular patient. This can help ensure that patients receive the most effective and safe treatment possible while minimizing the risk of adverse events. Overall, the integration of AI and patient matching has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of drug development and personalized medicine, by enabling more accurate and precise identification of the patients who are most likely to benefit from a particular treatment.

After the many different ways that artificial intelligence has improved precision medicine. One of the main fields of medicine that artificial intelligence has improved is cancer.

Artificial intelligence and cancer

To start what is cancer? Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and the spread of abnormal cells in the body. Normal cells in the body grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion, but cancer cells continue to divide and grow uncontrollably, eventually forming a mass of cells called a tumour. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, a process known as metastasis.

There are many different types of cancer, and each type is characterized by its own unique set of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Some of the most common types of cancer include:

  • Carcinomas: These cancers begin in the cells that line the skin or the internal organs, and they account for about 80% of all cancer cases.
  • Sarcomas: These cancers begin in the cells that make up the body’s connective tissues, such as bone, cartilage, or muscle.
  • Leukemias: These cancers begin in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream.
  • Lymphomas: These cancers begin in the cells of the lymphatic system, which helps fight infections and diseases.

The exact cause of cancer is not fully understood, but it is believed to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain genetic mutations or changes can disrupt the normal cell growth and division process, leading to the development of cancer cells. Exposure to environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, radiation, or certain chemicals can also increase the risk of developing cancer. That is why AI and precision medicine have many aspects of not only a patient's medical history but also their life, and environment

Cancer diagnosis typically involves a combination of imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, and laboratory tests, such as blood tests or biopsies. Treatment options for cancer vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, but they often involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. In some cases, immunotherapy may also be used to help the body’s immune system fight cancer cells.

Although cancer remains a major health challenge, advances in research and technology have led to significant improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment over the past few decades.

Artificial intelligence can be used for the treatment and diagnosis of many different cancers.

AI diagnoses/detection:

AI can spot many little things and subtle patterns than can be easily missed by humans.

1. Breast Cancer

AI can play an important role in breast cancer detection by analyzing mammograms and other imaging data to identify patterns and abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cancer. One of the most promising applications of AI in breast cancer detection is the use of deep learning algorithms, which can analyze large amounts of mammogram images to identify subtle patterns and features that may be indicative of breast cancer. By training these algorithms on large datasets of mammograms and corresponding patient outcomes, AI can learn to identify patterns that are associated with cancerous growths. AI can also be used to help radiologists interpret mammograms more accurately and efficiently, by highlighting suspicious areas or providing a second opinion on the interpretation of the images. This can help reduce the number of false positives and false negatives and improve the overall accuracy of breast cancer screening. Another promising application of AI in breast cancer detection is the use of machine learning algorithms to analyze genetic data and identify biomarkers that may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. By analyzing large datasets of genetic information from patients with and without breast cancer, AI can identify genetic variants and other factors that may be predictive of breast cancer risk.

2. Skin Cancer

AI can play an important role in skin cancer imaging by analyzing images of skin lesions and identifying patterns and features that may be indicative of skin cancer. One of the most promising applications of AI in skin cancer imaging is the use of deep learning algorithms, which can analyze large datasets of skin lesion images to identify subtle patterns and features that may be indicative of skin cancer. By training these algorithms on large datasets of skin lesion images and corresponding patient outcomes, AI can learn to identify patterns that are associated with cancerous growths. AI can also be used to help dermatologists interpret skin lesion images more accurately and efficiently, by highlighting suspicious areas or providing a second opinion on the interpretation of the images. This can help reduce the number of false positives and false negatives and improve the overall accuracy of skin cancer screening. Another promising application of AI in skin cancer imaging is the use of machine learning algorithms to analyze genetic data and identify biomarkers that may be associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. By analyzing large datasets of genetic information from patients with and without skin cancer, AI can identify genetic variants and other factors that may be predictive of skin cancer risk. Overall, the integration of AI and skin cancer imaging has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of skin cancer screening, enabling earlier detection and more effective treatment for patients.

3. Brain Cancer

AI has shown great promise in assisting doctors in the detection and diagnosis of brain cancer. Brain cancer can be difficult to detect and diagnose, as it can have a range of symptoms that are often non-specific. However, AI can help doctors to identify early signs of brain cancer and improve the accuracy of diagnosis. There are several ways in which AI can be used for brain cancer detection. The first is image analysis. Artificial intelligent algorithms can be trained on large datasets of brain imaging. Like MRIs and CT scans. These algorithms can then analyze images of new patients to identify brain cancer and assist doctors with diagnoses. AI can also be used to analyze medical reports and notes written by doctors and radiologists. By analyzing these reports, AI algorithms can detect any mentions of brain cancer and extract relevant information such as location, size, and type. Lastly, AI can be used to develop predictive models that can identify patients at high risk of developing brain cancer. These models can be trained on large datasets of patient information, including medical history, demographic data, and genetic information. By using artificial intelligence doctors can improve the accuracy and speed of brain cancer detection. This can lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes for patients.

4. Lung Cancer

Artificial intelligence can be used to detect lung cancer. Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and early detection is crucial for successful treatment. Artificial intelligence has shown much promise in improving lung cancer diagnosis and screening. One way artificial intelligence can be used is through analyzing medical scans to detect areas in the lungs that can indicate lung cancer. Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze other data, such as patient history and genetic information. For example, AI algorithms can analyze smoking history and exposure to other risk factors to identify individuals who may be at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. This information can assist doctors in detecting lung cancer at an earlier stage. In addition to detection, AI can be used to help guide treatment decisions. By looking at factors such as tumour size, and location AI can analyze medical data to identify the best treatment options for individual patients

AI and treatments:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in cancer treatment. There are several ways that AI can be used to help improve cancer treatment outcomes.

1. Cancer Drug Discovery

The first way that AI is helping cancer treatments is that it is revolutionizing the field of drug discovery, and drugs that are personalized to the patients. The process of discovering new drugs is time-consuming and expensive, and only a small percentage of drug candidates successfully make it to market. AI can help accelerate drug discovery by analyzing large amounts of data and doing things like identifying potential drug candidates more efficiently. AI algorithms can analyze large datasets of chemical and biological information to predict which compounds are likely to be effective drug candidates. This helps researchers narrow down numbers and save time. AI can also be used to simulate the effects of different compounds of biological targets, such as proteins or enzymes. Along with this AI can optimize the design of new drugs by predicting how different the chemical modifications will affect the properties of a drug, such as its potency or selectivity. Lastly, AI can help optimize the design of clinical trials by analyzing patient data and identifying which patients are most likely to respond to the drug.

2. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is leading cancer in men and the second leading cause of death due to cancer. High rates of this cancer are especially observed in older people. The main screening procedures used to detect prostate cancer are the digital rectal exam and the PSA test. Because of the fact that prostate cancer doesn't cause pain and takes several years to develop doctors are challenged with identifying optimal treatment strategies for late-stage cancer. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, surgery and radiation are the 3 most common treatments. And age-related changes including metastatic disease may have an effect on the therapies and change the risk-to-benefit ratio. Artificial intelligence can now be used to better predict who will respond to these therapies and who won't.

Concerns:

As AI and precision medicine come with their many benefits the two fields raise ethical and moral concerns

There are several ethical concerns associated with the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, some of which include:

Bias and discrimination: AI systems can perpetuate and even amplify existing biases and discrimination, leading to unfair treatment of certain groups of people. This is because AI systems are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, and if the data used to train them is biased, the system will be biased as well.

Privacy: AI systems often require access to large amounts of personal data, which can pose a threat to individuals’ privacy. There is also the risk that AI systems can be used for surveillance and monitoring, further eroding privacy rights.

Accountability: As AI systems become more complex, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for their actions. This lack of accountability can make it challenging to hold individuals or organizations responsible for any harm caused by the AI system.

Safety: Some AI systems, such as autonomous vehicles or robots, have the potential to cause physical harm if they malfunction or are not designed properly. Ensuring the safety of these systems is therefore critical.

Job displacement: As AI systems become more advanced, there is a risk that they will replace human workers, leading to job displacement and potentially exacerbating existing economic inequalities.

Transparency: The inner workings of AI systems can be opaque and difficult to understand, making it challenging to identify and address any issues or biases in the system.

And like AI, precision medicine does come with its concerns.

One of the biggest concerns is the GINA law. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law in the United States that prohibits discrimination in health insurance and employment based on genetic information. GINA was signed into law in 2008 and it is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Under GINA, employers and health insurance companies are prohibited from requesting or using genetic information in decisions related to hiring, firing, promotions, or any other terms of employment. Additionally, health insurance companies are prohibited from using genetic information to determine eligibility, premiums, or coverage for health insurance. Genetic information includes information about an individual’s genetic tests, genetic tests of an individual’s family members, and information about an individual’s family medical history. The law also provides protection against retaliation for individuals who file complaints or participate in investigations related to genetic discrimination.

Aside from these concerns artificial intelligence and precision medicine is an evolving field that shows much promise.

I hope you enjoyed my review on this subject and if you want to hear more from me read and subscribe to my newsletter here: https://substack.com/profile/69664738-jaya?utm_source=user-menu

--

--