Giving Compass' Take:

• Bart De Witte argues that technology has the potential to overhaul the healthcare system and, if done well, expand the quality of and access to care for everyone. 

• How can funders drive inclusive technological advances in healthcare? 

• Learn how health information exchanges drive down medical costs. 

We are currently witnessing a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before.

The Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford surveyed academics and industry experts who had published papers in the domain of Machine Learning. They agreed that within 35 years, AI-powered robots will exceed the performance of even the best surgeons.

Eventually these intelligent machines will perform all of the core services of our current health care systems, and will perform them faster, cheaper and more accurately than humans. During the last 12 months, dozens of studies demonstrated that algorithms can outperform physicians in specific areas. Currently, most of the focus lies on imaging modalities; this is where AI technology has made the fastest progress.

These intelligent services will eventually allow humans to protect and improve their health, while health care providers will be able to prevent, identify and cure diseases well before patients show any clinical symptoms.

These systems will be delivered over the internet, and will be will be accessible to anyone with internet access.

In the US, healthcare facilities are largely (approximately 80%) owned and operated by private sector businesses, and healthcare costs account for 18% of the GDP. Life expectancy has been on the decline for two years, and the country seems to be desperate for innovation that increases outcomes and access while lowering costs.

Read the full article about the case for digital healthcare by Bart De Witte at LinkedIn.