Alphabet Inc’s Google revealed a series of new projects aimed at incorporating its artificial intelligence models into the healthcare sector. This includes a tool designed to provide insights to Fitbit users based on data from their wearable devices, as well as a collaboration to enhance cancer and disease screenings in India.
During its annual health event in New York City, the company announced that Google Research and Fitbit teams are working on a new AI feature powered by Google’s advanced AI model, Gemini. This tool will analyze data from Fitbit wristbands to offer personalized health advice, such as evaluating the impact of exercise on sleep quality.
Google also shared plans to partner with Apollo Radiology International to offer AI-enhanced screenings for tuberculosis, lung cancer, and breast cancer in India. Once regulatory approval is obtained, three million free scans will be provided over the next decade. The company is also enhancing health information on Google search and YouTube.
Google has long been involved in revolutionizing healthcare, with initiatives like the acquisition of Fitbit in 2019 and the development of the Med-PaLM AI model, which addresses medical queries effectively. These new efforts align with Google’s commitment to delivering high-quality health information across its products for both consumers and businesses, according to Karen DeSalvo, Google’s chief health officer.
The company focuses on addressing global health challenges through technology, aiming to make a difference for individuals and populations alike. Google, based in Mountain View, California, is working on integrating AI, including large language models, into medical research. Large language models process vast amounts of text data to train software for predicting and generating content.
Google recently announced its exploration of refining the Gemini AI model for medical applications. The upcoming personal health tool in collaboration with Fitbit will also utilize Gemini. However, a specific release date for this feature was not disclosed by Google.
Greg Corrado, a senior research scientist at Google, highlighted the increasing interest in AI and the valuable discussions happening between Google and medical professionals regarding the optimal use of AI in healthcare. Corrado emphasized the importance of engaging with healthcare providers, doctors, patients, and insurers to determine how technology can be most beneficial in the field.
He believes that AI’s prominence opens up new possibilities and initiates crucial conversations that will shape the future of healthcare. Google’s focus on leveraging AI in healthcare underscores its commitment to driving positive change in the industry over the next decade.
Overall, Google’s initiatives in the healthcare sector reflect its dedication to leveraging technology for societal benefit and advancing the quality of healthcare services worldwide. Through collaborations and innovative AI applications, Google aims to address global health challenges and improve access to quality care for individuals and communities.
