As the healthcare world progresses from one focused on diagnostics to prognostics, the rise of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming medical technology into learning systems, a Google Cloud executive has said.
According to GlobalData analysis, AI in healthcare is forecast to reach a $19bn valuation by 2027.
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In a blog post, Shweta Maniar, Google Cloud’s global director of healthcare & life sciences, stated that the advancement of AI technology and healthcare ecosystems is drawing down on operational complexity for device companies and helping specialised expertise to reach more patients.
During year-end insurance resets, when device companies typically scramble to hire temporary staff for the patient support surge, AI agents can now handle these interactions autonomously, “helping patients better understand implant options and qualify for programmes”, according to Shweta.
Shweta also highlighted that whereas clinical specialists were once geographically locked to a major medical centre, AI is now helping inform diagnostic and treatment recommendations in rural or underserved areas.
Shweta said: “We’re not replacing these specialists. We’re making their knowledge more accessible to patients.”
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By GlobalDataBy embedding technology into medical devices, they are becoming more like pre-emptive learning systems, Shweta said.
“Looking forward, implants with monitoring capabilities will be able to track how your body reacts, how you heal, and when it’s safe to return to activities like running or surfing,” she explained.
“More importantly, they will gather data that improves the next version of that device for every future patient.”
To achieve the outlined vision, Shweta concluded that partners are required who understand “both the technical complexity and regulatory realities” of medical devices.
“This means moving from reactive devices to learning systems, from manual compliance to AI-powered oversight, and from isolated expertise to democratised care,” she said.
Observations resonate with NHS transformation
Shweta’s observations align with the UK Labour Party’s transformation plans for the UK National Health Service (NHS), with AI mooted to serve as a key component.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recently established an AI commission to help expedite the technology’s adoption across the health service. Key focuses of AI will be support of “slashing waitlists” and transitioning the NHS from being a sickness management service to one more focused on preventative care, as outlined in the UK Government’s 10-year plan for the NHS.
It is not just the UK regulator making changes. The US Food and Drug Administration rolled out an internal AI tool called Elsa to help employees at the agency.
Data and security considerations rise with AI’s innovation
With the growing sophistication of AI and its applications in healthcare, considerations around the privacy of data regarding how it is used by AI systems are growing.
Speaking with Medical Device Network in August, partner at law firm Holland & Knight, Shannon Hartsfield said: “If an AI agent is engaged in listening in the exam room and carrying out tasks based on the information recorded, the physician using that tool needs to obtain the patient’s consent if they are practicing in a state like Florida that requires all parties to consent to a recording.
“There are also state laws prohibiting deceptive and unfair trade practices. Users should be made aware that they are interacting with an AI agent and not a real human. While such laws regarding consent to record predate AI, they could still affect how a tool is used,” Hartsfield added.
