How Will AI Revolutionize Healthcare?

That scenario is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Pressed to reduce costs and boost productivity, medical equipment manufacturers and technology companies are increasingly investing in AI. Several such systems already exist, and growth could ramp up over the next few years, particularly in the field of diagnostic imagery. "Based on our analysis of AI capabilities, as well as discussions with executives and industry experts, we're seeing a number of applications across the entire healthcare spectrum, from prevention to diagnosis to follow up," says Michael Jungling, head of Morgan Stanley Research's Medical Tech and Services team. In a recent report, Jungling and his colleagues found that, while hurdles to the development and deployment of MedTech AI lay ahead--including questions around regulations and privacy of patient data--the successful implementation of AI in the field could boost productivity, lower treatment costs and drive growth across the healthcare value chain.