Why Israel is a testing ground for AI in healthcare
Israel is quickly becoming a hotbed for AI in healthcare thanks to new investments to combine digital health records into a giant system that creates true interoperability to maximize use of AI programs and data analytics, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Numerous semipublic health maintenance organizations (HMOs) already store digital medical records of the vast majority of Israelis, as well as provide most healthcare in the country. Israel’s government, with a $264 million investment, wants to leverage the records through a centralized system to develop technology for more advanced care. With a large database and AI technology, healthcare could become cheaper, better and more individualized.
The idea means HMOs will have to transfer patient data to the government system under agreements. And many international health officials see the positives outweighing the “pitfalls,” the WSJ reported.
Elsewhere, the AI-based ambitions would be harder-pressed. For example, U.S. privacy laws and the incompatibility of medical records would make a similar system “difficult.” The efforts in Israel have made it a testing ground for AI programs, however.
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Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."