The Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Cancer Care

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already an essential tool in the handling of large data sets in epidemiology and basic research. Significant contributions to radiological diagnosis are emerging alongside increasing use of digital pathology. The future lies in integrating this information together with clinical data relevant to each individual patient. Linkage with clinical protocols will enable personalized management options to be presented to the oncologist of the future. Radiotherapy has the distinction of being the first to have a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)-approved AI-based recommendation. There is the opportunity to revolutionize the workflow with many tasks currently undertaken by clinicians taken over by AI-based systems for volume outlining, planning, and quality assurance. Education and training will be essential to understand the AI processes and inputs. Clinicians will however have to feel confident interrogating the AI-derived information and in communicating AI-derived treatment plans to patients.