John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
The potential of generative AI to enhance global medical care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is gaining attention. A recent report from the Stanford Center for Digital Health, co-authored by Eleni Linos, MD, DrPH, explores how this technology could provide solutions where traditional health care access is limited.
Linos indicates the significance of generative AI in providing personalized health care, especially in remote areas with limited access to medical facilities. She highlighted the challenges these areas face, including long travel distances to clinics and a lack of trained healthcare professionals. "Access to basic health care infrastructure is very different" in these regions, Linos notes, pointing to differences from high-income countries.
The report, in collaboration with Isabella de Vere Hunt from Oxford and Sarah Soule from Stanford, discusses a successful application in Kenya. The Jacaranda Health’s PROMPTS system utilizes AI to deliver swift, AI-generated responses to maternal health queries via SMS, bridging gaps in healthcare provision. "By combining AI with human oversight, PROMPTS has reached over 500,000 users in 2024 alone," the report states, showing how technology aids in reducing maternal health issues.
However, there are still hurdles to overcome. Linos and her colleagues identified issues such as data quality, ethical considerations, and algorithmic bias. "We need to figure out a reliable way for everyone in this field to learn from each other’s successes and struggles," Linos emphasized on the need for collaboration.
Beyond technological advancements, Linos points out the need for improvements in basic healthcare infrastructure. "No matter how optimistic we are about AI’s potential...how well they improve someone’s health depends on the environment and resources that are available."
The Stanford Center for Digital Health hopes for cross-border and cross-discipline collaboration, seeking to remodel existing health systems. According to Linos: "The road ahead is filled with challenges, but with the right values, partnerships, and ethical guardrails, AI can be the great equalizer for health."
The report aims to spark ongoing developments and convenings, including a planned follow-up meeting in April to ensure further alignment on solutions.
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