What Problem Are We Trying to Solve With Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare in Canada?

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Robotics Ethics

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) has a long history, evolving since the 1950s.
• Early concepts of AI and robotics were explored in science fiction, notably by Isaac Asimov.
• The evolution spans from decision trees to machine learning and generative AI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the historical development and enduring presence of AI in healthcare.
• To contextualize current AI advancements within a broader historical and ethical framework.
• To underscore the ongoing evolution of AI technologies and their applications.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of AI development milestones.
• Analysis of foundational AI concepts and ethical principles.
• Examination of scientific literature and science fiction influences.

Main Results:

• AI in healthcare is a continuously evolving field, not a transient trend.
• Key advancements include decision trees, machine learning, and generative AI.
• Ethical considerations, such as Asimov's laws and Ashrafian's proposed law, are integral to AI development.

Conclusions:

• AI's application in healthcare has deep historical roots and a trajectory of continuous innovation.
• The ethical considerations surrounding AI are as old as the concept itself.
• Future AI development must consider both technical progress and ethical guidelines for human-robot interaction.