Part of Seek Reboot Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice – 08 October 2024
Why the Question?
UPSC PYQ – CSE Mains – 2023
Keywords of the Question
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Clinical diagnosis
- Threat to privacy of the individual
- AI in healthcare
Directive Word
How – When a question asks “How,” it is asking you to describe the process, method, or manner in which something happens or is done.
How to approach this Question?
Introduction
- Define AI: Briefly introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.
- Mention its relevance: Highlight the growing importance of AI in various fields, including healthcare.
Body
- AI in Clinical Diagnosis:
- Medical Imaging: Explain how AI helps in analyzing medical images (X-rays, MRIs) for accurate disease detection.
- Predictive Models: Discuss AI’s role in creating models to predict disease onset and progression.
- Automation: Mention how AI automates routine tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care.
- Privacy Concerns:
- Sensitive Data: Address the risk of exposing sensitive patient information.
- Data Security: Highlight potential threats like data breaches and unauthorized access.
- Misuse and Hacking: Note the vulnerability of AI systems to hacking and misuse.
Conclusion
- Balanced View: Conclude by acknowledging AI’s potential to revolutionize healthcare while emphasizing the need for robust privacy safeguards to protect patient data.
Note: Please note that the following ‘answers’ are not ‘model answers’ nor are they synopses in the strictest sense. Instead, they are content designed to meet the demands of the question while providing comprehensive coverage of the topic.
Answer Key
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. AI encompasses various technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics, which enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Body
AI in Clinical Diagnosis:
- Medical Imaging: AI algorithms analyze medical images such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans with high accuracy. For instance, Google’s DeepMind has developed an AI system that can detect over 50 eye diseases from retinal scans, often with greater accuracy than human doctors.
- Predictive Models: AI helps in predicting disease outbreaks and patient outcomes. IBM Watson, for example, uses AI to analyze vast amounts of medical literature and patient data to provide personalized treatment recommendations.
- Automation: AI automates routine tasks like scheduling, data entry, and preliminary diagnostics, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care. AI-powered chatbots can also provide initial consultations and triage.
Privacy Concerns:
- Sensitive Data: AI systems require large datasets, often containing sensitive patient information. The risk of data breaches and unauthorized access is significant. For example, the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack affected numerous healthcare systems worldwide, exposing vulnerabilities.
- Data Security: Ensuring the security of AI systems is crucial. Weak security measures can lead to hacking and misuse of patient data. The misuse of AI in healthcare can lead to identity theft, insurance fraud, and other malicious activities.
- Regulatory Challenges: The lack of standardized regulations for AI in healthcare can lead to inconsistent data protection practices, increasing the risk of privacy violations.
Conclusion
While AI has the potential to revolutionize clinical diagnosis by improving accuracy and efficiency, it also poses significant privacy risks. It is essential to implement robust data protection measures and regulatory frameworks to safeguard patient information. Balancing innovation with privacy protection will be key to the successful integration of AI in healthcare.
Mind Map
