The tech savvy physician: How AI will transform your practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just the future of medicine--it is already here, and over time it will transform nearly every area of medical practice, according to experts. AI involves machine learning, where computers get smarter at seeking patterns or connections the more data is input; natural language processing, where computers learn to read and analyze unstructured clinical notes or patient reports; robotic process automation, such as chat bots; diagnostic capabilities such as IBM's Watson; and even more processes that help with patient adherence and administrative tasks. "AI is impacting health care at every level, from the provider to the payer to pharma," according to Dan Riskin, MD, CEO and founder of Verantos, a health care data company in Palo Alto, California, that uses AI to sort through real world evidence. "AI is utilized in a multitude of ways depending on the health care ecosystem," added Athena Robinson, PhD, chief clinical officer at Woebot Labs, a digital therapeutics company in San Francisco. "Some folks think of augmented systems, such as transactional bots that you call to schedule an appointment."