Imagine a world where technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, revolutionizing our experiences in unprecedented ways. Entrepreneur Steve Brown, upon being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, took charge of his own care team and developed an AI-powered platform aimed at enhancing medical care. This initiative turned his personal challenge into a movement for improved healthcare solutions. One of the agents—an AI oncologist named "Dr. Haddad"—identified previously overlooked patterns, resulting in not only improved insight into his condition but also the establishment of a new pathway for care that holds potential to impact numerous lives.

What began as Brown's mission for survival has evolved into a broader initiative focused on providing individuals with rare and challenging-to-diagnose conditions the opportunity for answers, healing, and hope. His platform, CureWise.com, is already creating a waitlist of patients and clinicians who envision a future enhanced by technology and driven by empathy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems or machines that are designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence such as reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, learning from experience, understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, making predictions, and interacting with environment. Key foundational concepts include Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Algorithms, Computer Vision, Robotics, and Datasets and Data Processing. AI systems can acquire new data and improve their performance over time by analyzing large amounts of data. AI has become practical with recent advances in computing power and data availability.

AI applications are rapidly expanding, driving innovation and efficiency across nearly every industry, from healthcare and manufacturing to entertainment and daily consumer experiences. AI takes on multiple forms, including smart devices, chatbots, autonomous vehicles, and virtual assistants. Below are some significant real-world use cases of AI across different sectors.

• AI powers recommendation engines that analyze customer behavior to suggest products, enhancing shopping experiences and boosting sales. Amazon is a leading example, using AI to personalize product recommendations.
• AI-driven chatbots offer immediate customer assistance, address questions, and support shoppers during their purchasing process.
• AI enhances navigation systems by providing real-time traffic updates and optimal route recommendations, as seen in Google Maps.
• AI is used in autonomous vehicles to process sensor and camera data for self-driving and advanced driver-assistance systems.
• AI personal assistants, such as Siri and Alexa, help manage schedules, control smart home devices, and simplify daily tasks.
• AI organizes content feeds based on user preferences, identifies misinformation, and removes unwanted messages.
• AI facilitates facial recognition for phone security and improves digital communication platforms.

AI matters to healthcare because it offers transformative potential across nearly every aspect of medical practice, quality, safety, access, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Examples include:

• Better diagnoses through image and data analysis. AI can detect anomalies in imaging or lab results with high accuracy.
• Tailored treatment based on patient history: Algorithms tailor treatments to individual profiles, improving outcomes.
• Streamlined operations that reduce administrative burden. AI automates administrative tasks, optimizes scheduling, and manages supply chains, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care.
• Support for Healthcare professionals: AI assists clinicians by providing decision support, analyzing large datasets, and identifying rare or complex conditions.
• Improved Patient Engagement: Wearable devices and AI-powered applications provide patients with real-time health monitoring, personalized recommendations, and educational content, empowering individuals to manage their health.

The National Institute of Health traces the use of AI in healthcare back to the 1950s. The models at the time had several limitations that hindered their widespread application in healthcare. In the early 2000s, advancements in deep learning helped address many of the limitations.

To follow the rapid development in AI technology, NAIRO leadership has formed the Technology/AI/Cybersecurity Committee. This committee will release white papers to cover significant topics about AI and how it may impact the review industry. The topics include:

1. Introduction to AI
2. AI Policy Initiatives
3. Understanding what AI can and cannot do
4. Recognizing AI applications in daily life
5. Assessing the risks and benefits of AI technologies
6. Grasping the ethical and social implications of AI
7. Upskilling the workforce to prepare for a changing health care industry in using AI and technologies
8. Empowering individuals to use AI responsibly and safely
9. Knowing and understanding how AI-driven decisions impact healthcare industry.

Change is often associated with the unknown. Joe Vitale said, “You don’t fear change. You fear the unknown. If you knew the future would be great, you’d welcome the change to get there”. By delving into these topics, our aim is to foster a nuanced appreciation for both the strengths and the boundaries of artificial intelligence. This knowledge will empower us to embrace innovative tools thoughtfully and equip us to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare, the review industry, and beyond.