 |
| Google's artificial intelligence can identify common skin diseases |
Artificial intelligence has the potential to help clinicians care for patients and manage disease, including improving breast cancer screening and detecting tuberculosis more effectively.
At its annual developer conference, Google announced a new AI dermatology utility that can help anyone with a smartphone get more information about common skin conditions.
According to Google, the project has been in operation for three years and hopes to launch as a pilot later this year.
This tool is a web application that can be used with a smartphone's camera. After taking three pictures of your skin, hair or nails from different angles, the system will ask you to answer questions about your skin type, current problems you are facing, and any symptoms that may appear on you.
The AI model is based on knowing 288 situations, analyzing the information they provide, and providing a list of potential matches.
Results are based on dermatologist-verified information, answers to frequently asked questions, and similar images in search results.
According to Google, the AI model takes into account age, gender, ethnicity, skin type, and other factors that can influence the results.
Since hair, skin and nails are the largest organs in the human body, it is understandable why Google should use this tool to extend its work in monitoring health.
Like most other consumer-facing health technologies, this tool is not intended to replace you with a visit to the doctor or make a diagnosis, but rather to provide you with more confidence based on the pictures and questions you have provided. More detailed questions to answer.
Additionally, Google announced a separate artificial intelligence tool that can be used to identify potential TB patients for follow-up checks.
The screening tool builds on the company's current work in medical imaging and uses a deep learning system that can be used to identify potential TB patients using chest X-rays.
Like the Dermatology Helper tool, Google has created a TB model that uses anonymous data from 9 countries to calculate a variety of ethnic groups.
Using such a tool can save up to 80% on the cost of every TB case detected.
Google will develop its TB screening tool with two new studies later this year. In regards to dermatological aids, interested parties can register here for early use.