Training A Computer To Read Mammograms As Well As A Doctor

"I was really surprised how primitive information technology is in the hospitals," says Regina Barzilay, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is working on improving mammography with artificial intelligence. "I was really surprised how primitive information technology is in the hospitals," says Regina Barzilay, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is working on improving mammography with artificial intelligence. Regina Barzilay teaches one of the most popular computer science classes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. And in her research -- at least until five years ago -- she looked at how a computer could use machine learning to read and decipher obscure ancient texts. "This is clearly of no practical use," she says with a laugh.