## AI Revolutionizes Healthcare: Experts Discuss Transformative Applications at Beijing Forum
The Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum, held in Beijing on September 13th as part of the 2024 Capital International Medical Congress, served as a platform for leading experts to explore the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on healthcare. The forum, a key event within the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), aimed to promote openness, cooperation, and innovation in China’s healthcare sector.
Organized by CHTV and supported by the Chinese Hospital Association, the forum was one of the main events of the Capital International Medical Congress, which focuses on “Smart Healthcare and Medical Artificial Intelligence Innovation.” The Congress, spearheaded by the Chinese Hospital Association and backed by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, featured five parallel forums, highlighting the rapid advancements in AI, big data, and cloud computing that are transforming the medical landscape.
AI Driving Healthcare Transformation
Vice President of the Chinese Hospital Association, Mao Qunan, emphasized the unprecedented growth in China’s healthcare system fueled by the integration of AI and information technologies. He pointed out that this integration is accelerating infrastructure development and expanding smart healthcare applications, shifting the medical sector towards data-driven decision-making. Mao highlighted four key areas where AI will play a significant role:
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Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment:
AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of patient data to provide more accurate and timely diagnoses, leading to more effective treatment plans.*
Personalized Medicine:
AI can tailor treatment plans based on individual patient characteristics and genetic profiles, offering more effective and personalized care.*
Resource Distribution:
AI can help optimize resource allocation, ensuring that healthcare resources are distributed effectively and efficiently.*
Public Health Management:
AI can play a crucial role in disease surveillance, outbreak prediction, and public health campaigns, improving overall health outcomes.Global and Chinese Technological Innovation in AI
Zhao Gang, Director-General of the Global Innovation Center and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, delivered a speech on global and Chinese technological innovation, emphasizing AI’s rapid advancements across various fields, including medical research and drug development. Zhao highlighted the importance of strengthening national scientific and technological initiatives and accelerating the digital economy to further boost AI development, particularly in the healthcare sector.
AI in Action: Real-World Applications
Renowned academicians and industry leaders shared their insights on the practical application of AI in healthcare, showcasing the transformative potential of these technologies. Here are some of the key highlights:
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Biomedical Research:
Cheng Heping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at Peking University, discussed how AI and big data are transforming biomedical research, accelerating drug discovery and development.*
Remote and Robotic Surgeries:
Zhang Xu, an academician and director of the Urology Department at the PLA General Hospital, highlighted advancements in remote and robotic surgeries, predicting that these technologies will soon play a crucial role in providing medical care to remote areas, disaster zones, and even space stations.*
Synthetic Biology and AI Integration:
Deng Zixin, an academician at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, explored the potential of synthetic biology, integrated with AI, to revolutionize health, environment, and energy sectors.*
AI-Driven Medical Diagnostics:
Wu Xian, Director of the Tencent Youtu Tianyan Research Center, and Lü Le, Senior Director at Alibaba DAMO Academy, presented AI-driven innovations in medical diagnostics, showcasing breakthroughs in cancer screening, chronic disease detection, and large medical models, paving the way for more accurate and affordable medical assessments.*
Intelligent Health Assessments:
Hu Anyi, Director of the Health Management Center at Fuwai Hospital, showcased the hospital’s intelligent human motor ability assessment system, which uses AI to deliver rapid and accurate health reports.*
AI in Brain Health:
Liu Tao, Director of the AI Center at the National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, shared insights into AI’s role in brain health assessments, covering emergency care, rehabilitation, and personalized treatments.*
Data-Driven Healthcare Services:
Gao Jing, CEO of LinkDoc Technology, emphasized the importance of transforming medical data into valuable assets through effective data aggregation, governance, and operations, creating efficient and high-quality healthcare services.Looking Ahead: The Future of Medical AI
The forum concluded with a roundtable discussion, during which experts from various fields, including Liu Xiaoying of Wanfang Medical Network and Zhou Xuefeng of Zhejiang University, addressed the current status and future challenges of medical AI and digital medicine. They underscored the transformative potential of these technologies in reshaping the healthcare industry, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and innovation to fully realize AI’s potential in improving healthcare outcomes and enhancing patient care.
About the Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum
The Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum is an integral part of the 2024 Capital International Medical Congress, held under the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). The forum serves as a platform for global leaders, healthcare professionals, and technological innovators to discuss the latest advancements in smart healthcare and medical AI. The event aims to promote the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing into healthcare services, fostering collaboration and driving innovation in the medical industry. It is supported by the Chinese Hospital Association and key organizations dedicated to advancing medical technology in China.
