New podcast episode explores the role of artificial intelligence in modern medicine

The 52nd episode of The Health Wrap investigates how artificial intelligence is changing healthcare, looking at both its uses and its risks for patients. Ramya Kannan, Health Editor at The Hindu, talks with Apollo Hospitals infectious diseases expert Abdul Gaffur in Chennai about these changes.

Potential Uses

Artificial intelligence could help researchers find new drug candidates, speed up vaccine development, and study large amounts of medical information. In clinical settings, AI tools might combine data from radiology, lab tests, pharmacy records, and patient files to help doctors screen and triage patients. These systems aim to support medical staff rather than replace their actual judgment.

Risks and Safety

AI programs can give wrong answers while sounding very confident. Because of this, patients must be careful about trusting AI for medical advice and should check such information against trusted medical sources and doctors. The discussion also covers the need for safe handling of large health data sets and the risk of AI misuse in biology.