Healthcare AI innovations in 2024

From Google’s Gemini and MedLM setting new standards in multimodal AI to the expanding horizons of GPT-4, the year 2024 could see various forms of artificial intelligence reshaping patient experiences and healthcare delivery in profound ways. 

Google’s introduction of MedLM, a suite of AI models for healthcare, underscores the tech giant’s focus on specialized generative AI projects. Built on the Med-PaLM 2 model, MedLM is now available to U.S. Google Cloud customers, offering tools tailored to the complex needs of the healthcare industry. 

Google’s newly announced Gemini model, a versatile AI engine designed to revolutionize healthcare applications marks a significant leap in AI capabilities by seamlessly integrating text, images, and video data. A version of this new model is currently powering Google’s Bard application, a free consumer-facing app that you can use to “jump in the water” and try out a very powerful next-gen Generative AI ChatBot. 

Not to be outdone, OpenAI recently updated its Chat GPT Plus service for consumers, which now offers desktop access to custom versions of GPT-4 with functions including data analysis, web browsing and tech support, as well as the option to build your own customized version of ChatGPT for a specific purpose. While its training cutoff is now April 2023 instead of September 2021, GPT-4 can search the web to provide more up-to-date information. 

CHIME Innovation is working to keep up-to-date with the AI-related topics of most interest to healthcare executives in a variety of categories, as we plan events and content to share with you in 2024: 

• AI Impact on Healthcare Industry: The optimism surrounding generative AI’s potential to transform healthcare does not seem to slow down any time soon. Unlike previous technologies, generative AI has unique properties that might shorten the lag time between promise and results, leading to productivity gains instead of bottlenecks. 
• Obstacles to AI Adoption: A significant portion of adults remain cautious about AI-driven healthcare implementations, citing concerns about biases in AI algorithms and potential worse outcomes. This highlights the importance of transparency, education, and open discussions about AI in healthcare to build trust and acceptance. 
• AI Governance Models: Collaborations like that between Wipro and NVIDIA are focusing on accelerating the adoption of generative AI in healthcare. This involves leveraging AI for improved healthcare operations, member services, and claims processing, demonstrating the evolving governance models in AI integration. 
• AI and Healthcare Regulation: The need for transparent, ethical, and compliant AI solutions is of global concern, especially considering the complex regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. This underlines the importance of aligning AI initiatives with data strategy and governance for effective regulatory compliance. CHIME’s Public Policy team is in direct contact with lawmakers, policy makers, and other stakeholders in Washington, DC, and is continuing to provide regular updates on the latest developments regarding AI policy trends at the government level. 
• Patient-facing AI Innovations: AI is leading to precision healthcare, with its ability to analyze vast data sets and improve diagnoses and treatment plans. Siemens Healthineers’ multi-cloud strategy is an example of leveraging AI for more accurate and effective healthcare solutions. 
• Generative AI in Business Innovation: The healthcare sector is embracing AI for enhanced diagnostics, predictive analytics, improved patient care, and streamlining administrative tasks. AI’s role in drug discovery and development is also significant, with its ability to analyze large datasets and accelerate the introduction of innovative treatments. 

Building on extensive experience in the fields of journalism, media production, and learning design and development, John Marc Green’s newest adventure is serving as Director of CHIME Innovation. In this role, his ongoing conversations with CHIME Members and Partners provide insights and direction to serve their interests in a variety of ways, including digital healthcare innovation journalism, professional development events and program facilitation, and on-demand educational development through CHIME Innovation.