Artificial intelligence and robotics have potential applications in public health by assisting with tasks like disease surveillance, identifying at-risk populations, and evaluating health interventions. Natural language processing is an example of an AI technique that can rapidly analyze large amounts of unstructured text to help with these tasks. The ICDS CAS in India uses AI to track child development metrics in real-time. While AI and robotics face challenges like data and algorithmic biases, they may help address issues like doctor shortages and be useful during health crises by performing tasks like disinfection and delivering supplies. Developing technologies with responsible research and innovation principles can help address ethical concerns about their implementation.
2. Outline
• Definition
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Robotics
• Public Health
• AI and Public Health
• Natural Language processing
• ICDS CAS
• Google trends
• Robotics and Public Health
• Challenges in AI and robotics
• Potential Opportunities
3. Definitions
• Artificial intelligence(AI) refers to “the simulation of human
intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans
and mimic their actions”.
• Robotics is an interdisciplinary research area at the interface
of computer science and engineering
• Public health is “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging
life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society”.
(Acheson ,1988; WHO)
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Artificial Intelligence is a set of algorithms and intelligence trying to
mimic human intelligence
• AI term coined by John McCarthy in 1956
• Characteristic of AI: ability to take rationalize action in achieving a
specific goal
• 3 goals:
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Perception
5. Intelligent agent:
• An intelligent agent (programs) is a system that perceives its
environment and takes actions that maximize its chances of success
• AI falls broadly under two categories:
• Narrow AI: weak AI, limited context, less than human intelligence
(google trends, alexa, Siri)
• Artificial General Intelligence: strong AI, at par with human
intelligence (moves like terminator, west world, star trek)
6. Natural language processing (NLP)
• NLP is a subfield of AI that develops algorithms and builds model
capable of using language as humans do
• Frame work for approaches to public health
• Rapidly analyze large amount of unstructured and semi structured
texts
• Identification of population, interventions and outcomes of interest
8. Existing and potential applications of natural language processing in public
health
Type of activity Public health objectives
Identification of at risk
populations or condition of
interest
• To continuously measure the incidence and prevalence of
diseases and disease risk factors (i.e. surveillance)
• To identify vulnerable and at-risk populations
Identification of health
interventions
• To develop optima recommendations/ interventions
• To identify best practices
Identification of health
outcomes using real world
evidences
• To evaluate the benefits of health interventions
• To identify unintended adverse outcomes related to
interventions
Knowledge generation and
translation
• To support public health research
Environmental scanning and
situational awareness
• To conduct public health risk assessments and provide
situational awareness
• To monitor activities that may have an impact on public health
decision making
9. Potential of AI for Public Health
• AI based breast cancer screening, non invasive and low cost solutions
based on heat mapping
• Detects breast cancer 5 years earlier than mammography
Low doctor to patient
ratio
Severe shortage of
resources
Need of technology
to over come
burden and
constrains
10. • Smart phone anthropometry enables frontline workers to accurately
report baby weight
• A rapid detection and response devices directly alerts radiologist
when it spots a pneumothorax
• National health service in US adopted an AI cohort based triage
system
11. ICDS CAS
• Integrated Child Development Services Common Application Software
• Strengthen delivery system as well as real time monitoring for
nutritional outcome
• Common Application Software captures data, ensures assigned
service delivery and prompts for intervention whenever required
• Real time position of anganwadi worker
• Encourages the anganwadi worker to finish her work same day before
stipulated time (2:00 pm)
15. Google search trends
• 97% of the search engine market is shared by google
• Google answer queries and keep record of that
• Weekly trend can be accessed from google trends, a special open-
access domain of Google (https://trends.google.com/trends/).
• Gives option to hide identity also
16.
17. Robotics
• Goal is to design intelligent machines that can help and assist
humans in their day to day lives
• Involves design, construction, operation and use of robotics
• Dates back to 420 BC-Archytas of Tarentum invented flying pigeon
• First installed industrial robot – Unimate (1961)
• COVID 19 could be a catalyst for an efficient robotic system
18. Robotics and public health
• Robots are of great use during pandemics as they can be used for
• Disinfection
• Delivering medicines and food
• Measuring vital signs
• Assisting border controls
• During Ebola outbreak (2015) it has been identified that robot can
make a difference in
• Clinical care
• Logistics
• Reconnaissance
19. Robotics in health care
• Receptionist robots: disseminate information about various units/
sections of hospitals and guide patients and visitors. (a)
• Nurse robots: assist doctor in hospitals in same manner as human
nurse , more common in Japan. (b,c)
a b c
21. • Surgical robots: Da Vinci robotic surgical system
• Rehabilitation robots: Kinova assistive robotic arm, EksoNR exoskelton
Da Vinci robotic surgical system Kinova assistive robotic arm and EksoNR exoskelton
27. Risks and Challenges with AI
• Injuries and errors
• Data availability
• Privacy concerns
• Bias and inequality
• Professional realignment
• Algorithmic bias
• Susceptibility to adversarial attack or manipulation
• Logistical difficulties in implementing AI system
• Human barriers to AI adoption in healthcare
28. Possible solutions
• Data generation and availability
• Quality oversight
• Provider engagement and education
29. Concerns of healthcare robotics
• Replacement and its implication for labour
• Replacement and its implication for the quality of care: de humanization
and “cold” care
• Autonomy
• Role and tasks
• Moral agency
• Responsibility
• Deception
• Trust
• Privacy and data protection
• Safety and avoidance of harm
30. Potential Solutions
• Collaboration with the developers of technology about ethics during the
research projects.
• Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
Doing science and innovation with society and for society, including the
involvement of relevant stakeholders groups ‘very upstream’ in the
processes of research and innovation to align its outcomes with the values
and expectations of society
A wide umbrella that brings together different aspects of the relationship
between science and innovation and society:
Public engagement
Open access
Gender equality
Science
Education
Ethics and governance
