Machine learning is a specific type or use of of AI. It involves training computer systems to learn from data and improve their performance over time without being explicitly programmed for each task. In other words, machine learning algorithms enable computers to learn from examples and experiences, recognize patterns, and make predictions or decisions based on that learning. While AI encompasses a broader range of techniques and goals, machine learning is a specific method used to achieve AI’s objectives by training computers to learn and improve their abilities through data analysis.

AI is being increasingly used in various ways to improve healthcare. Some examples include:

• Medical Diagnostics: AI algorithms can analyze medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases like cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and lung diseases. AI can help detect abnormalities or patterns that may be difficult for human eyes to spot, improving the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses.
• Disease Prediction and Prevention: AI can analyze large amounts of patient data, including medical records, genetic information, and lifestyle factors, to identify patterns and risk factors for certain diseases. This can help healthcare providers predict the likelihood of developing diseases and develop personalized prevention strategies.
• Virtual Assistants and Chatbots: AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots can provide basic medical information, answer questions, and offer guidance to patients. These tools can be used for symptom assessment, medication reminders, and general health inquiries, providing instant support and relieving the burden on healthcare professionals.
• Drug Discovery and Development: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify potential drug candidates and accelerate the drug discovery process. This can help researchers identify promising molecules, predict drug interactions, and optimize treatment plans, ultimately leading to the development of more effective and personalized therapies.
• Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring: AI enables remote healthcare services and monitoring. Patients can use wearable devices and sensors that collect health data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels, which can be analyzed in real-time using AI algorithms. This allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients, detect anomalies, and intervene promptly when necessary.

These are just a few examples of how AI is being used in the healthcare sector in Australia.

Human rights are the basic freedoms and protections that every person should have. They include things like the right to be treated fairly, the right to speak freely, and the right to be safe from harm. The Queensland Human Rights Commission is the organization that works to protect and promote these rights for the people of Queensland, making sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Queensland is unique in Australia in protecting a person’s right to healthcare as a part of the Human Rights Act.

Read more from the Queensland Human Rights Commission

Anyone who uses, has used or might use the health system. That means everyone, but it particularly relates to our interaction with health services. (Sometimes people think of this as being a “patient” but we can also be a health consumer when we read public health information on a billboard. “Health consumer” is a broad term!)

A health consumer who has taken up a role to partner with a health service to improve healthcare. An important part of being a health consumer representative is to give the consumer perspective on healthcare services so that the service accommodates the needs and preferences of consumers.