AI Progress Report
AI developments are accelerating across the globe. We pause to consider the latest crop of announcements.
By Xische Editorial, September 29, 2019
Source: Golden Sikorka/Shutterstock
Keeping up with artificial intelligence (AI) news is a bit like holding a bucket under a waterfall. Over the past several weeks, a wide range of news items have percolated in disparate corners of the sector that suggest significant changes underfoot in the AI community. From China imposing value metrics on AI algorithms to Google’s deep learning advancements in the field of skin disease and a host of Apple-related health initiatives, it’s a good time to take the temperature of the AI values and health debate.
Let’s begin with Google. Applying deep learning to the challenge of global skin disease, Google researchers have had a slew of impressive achievements lately. According to the Mountain View technology company, “an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide suffer from a skin condition at any given time, and due to a shortage of dermatologists, many cases are seen by general practitioners instead. In the United States alone, up to 37% of patients seen in the clinic have at least one skin complaint and more than half of those patients are seen by non-dermatologists.”
Sounds like a perfect problem for deep machine learning to solve. Engineers developed a deep learning system that can address and identify the most common skin conditions seen in primary care. After a trial of their systems, Google found that their results “showed that a deep-learning system can achieve an accuracy across 26 skin conditions that is on par with U.S. board-certified dermatologists, when presented with identical information about a patient case.”
This is incredibly encouraging as it confirms the general view that deep learning can assist medical professionals with the accuracy of their diagnosis. Far from replacing care providers, machine learning is the ultimate assistant who is able to take on the heavy lifting and allow the professional the time needed to focus on the best treatment.
The launch of a slew of new Apple products this Fall (it happens every September) is similar in a way. Since the launch of the Apple Watch, the Cupertino personal technology company has placed a major bet on health. The Apple Watch collects an incredible amount of health data about its users from possible heart irregularities to encouraging healthier living. Based on Apple’s reporting, the watch has saved countless lives in identifying health problems early so that users can get the right treatment quickly.
Announcing this year’s model, Apple launched several landmark health studies for Apple Watch users. The initial research will focus on heart and mobility related research but given Apple’s track record, there will surely be additional fields added in the future.
These studies will provide invaluable raw data that can be fed into deep learning systems to help doctors and professionals further streamline and refine their treatments. When we think about a brave new world filled with AI innovations and technology at every corner, this is the type of thing that will support it. AI and machine learning are only as strong as the data they receive. Thus, every new Apple gadget able to collect accurate and important information about our health will have an incredibly positive impact on the industry.
On the other side of the AI debate, China is grappling with how best to handle social values in our new AI-driven world. According to the South China Morning Post, China’s primary internet regulator is instituting changes to online AI algorithms to promote what it calls “mainstream values”. Only content approved by the Chinese government will be allowed into the algorithms.
Sovereign nations have the right to regulate themselves in any manner they see fit and so it's hard to criticise the Chinese actions in this case. However, the announcement demonstrates just how easily AI systems can be used to influence or change public opinion. When you add in the health and personal information of millions of people, the gravity of AI’s potential power is clear and concerning. At the very least it underscores the need for impeccable security so that any changes made to AI algorithms or systems are done so by the people invested with power to do so.
The AI debate is fast moving. It can be hard to tease out the latest items that will have a serious impact in the long term. These three news nuggets represent developments that will accelerate for better or worse in the short and medium term. For that reason alone, it’s a good idea to keep them on your radar.
