Researchers from OSF Healthcare and its partners have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that can predict the upcoming week’s work for each cancer patient navigator (CPN) for their existing patients. They have also created a machine learning model that distributes new patients among the navigators within specialties to better balance workloads. The algorithm uses a three-year data set to analyze past workloads and make predictions each week for every patient. The researchers found that the algorithm achieved significantly greater workload fairness than random distribution. The plan is to integrate the tool into OSF Community Connect and pilot its efficacy ahead of the planned opening of the OSF Cancer Institute in 2024.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) initiative aimed at helping customers across various industries make better use of machine learning and automation. The program, called AWS Generative AI, will connect AI and machine learning experts with customers to collaborate on envisioning, designing, and launching new generative AI products and services. Partners in the program include Twilio and Highspot, who are working with the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center to develop generative AI models and scale solutions. AWS is also focusing on providing guidance for responsible AI implementation and optimizing machine learning to reduce costs.

UNC Health is participating in Epic’s generative artificial intelligence program, which utilizes Microsoft Azure. They are set to roll out an internal chatbot tool to a small group of clinicians and administrators, with plans to expand its availability later this year. The health system believes that by using this technology carefully and safely, they can enhance healthcare delivery in North Carolina and beyond. They anticipate identifying multiple use cases as the tool is implemented across their network of hospitals, campuses, and clinics. Other electronic health record vendors, such as Epic and eClinicalWorks, are also incorporating similar AI features into their platforms. UNC Health aims to lead the nation in applying this technology safely and effectively to benefit their teams and patients.

Driven by the Digital India campaign and the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphone adoption in India has surged, reaching nearly 600 million users in 2021. This shift has simplified complex procedures by integrating essential services like UPI, Aadhaar, CoWin, and WhatsApp HealthDesk into mobile phones, with users averaging a daily consumption of 12GB. Notably, the effectiveness of conversational AI chatbots has been demonstrated through the creation of the HealthDesk chatbot accessible via WhatsApp. These chatbots offer reliability, accountability, and flexibility, empowering patients and doctors to manage appointments, medication, diagnoses, and feedback. With healthcare being a thriving market for low-cost, multilingual chatbots, they have the potential to become the industry standard, already streamlining services in the Indian healthcare landscape.

The Journal of Medicine has published the first articles in a new series called “AI in Medicine” which discusses the potential and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in all aspects of health and healthcare. The journal has also announced the launch of NEJM AI in 2024, which will provide a forum for high-quality evidence and resource sharing for medical AI along with informed discussions of its potential and limitations. However, there are two challenges to publishing on AI in medicine – the breadth of potential applications and the fact that expertise in AI and machine learning is linked to commercial applications. Therefore, the journal will follow a policy of transparency and disclosure to ensure ethical, governance, and regulatory considerations are met.