AI and machine learning's moment in health care

While healthcare has lagged behind other industries in the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and many other advanced technologies, the COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be the mother of invention when it comes to technological innovation. Machine learning -- a key part of AI where computer algorithms automatically improve through experience -- has been called upon to leverage healthcare data to help deal with many of the challenges COVID-19 has presented. Public health systems have turned to machine learning to complement their contact tracing and other efforts to control the disease and track outbreaks. Private healthcare operators have embraced machine learning to remain competitive when faced with a drop in demand for elective surgery or, in many countries, a reluctance or inability to visit hospitals or clinics. The pace of AI and machine learning adoption is also accelerating in hospitals.