Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) connotes the use of computer processes to mimic human thinking when analyzing complex medical data, supporting clinical decisions, and automating administrative workflows.

Artificial intelligence is a broad term, with evolving meaning and synonyms. Broadly, it describes an engineered system that uses various computational techniques to perform or automate tasks. This may include techniques, such as machine learning, in which machines learn from experience, adjusting to new input data and potentially performing tasks previously done by humans. More specifically, it is a field of computer science dedicated to simulating intelligent behavior in computers. It may include automated decision-making.

Core types of AI tools affecting healthcare include:

• Machine Learning
  using patterns in data to predict risks, interpret observations and suggest management

  • Deep Learning
    using neural networks and other computational processes to review complex and interpret clinical artifacts 

  • Computer Vision
    using deep learning to recognize, understand and recommend from information in images, such as pathology slides, clinical photographcs or radiologic images

• Natural Language Processing
  using recursive processes to analyze human speech and processing in order to predict meaning and generate new content

  • Generative AI
    using large language models and language processing to summarize clinical content, retrieve content relevant to clinical queries and draft clinical documents.

• Process Automation
  using AI to automate repeditive administrative tasks or organize clinical processes, such as referral workflows or professional billing.

  • Agentic AI
    using autonomous or semi-autonomous AI robotic software that can plan, take actions, interact with tools or systems, and pursue goals with minimal human input.

Related Concepts

• Definitions of AI are rapidly evolving and there are many synonyms. Definitions can vary by field of application (e.g., health care).

• Use the outline to view concepts related to clinical AI or the search function to seek a specific concept.

Sources

• Review: Artificial intelligence in healthcare: transforming the practice of medicine