From blood tests to image analysis, artificial intelligence has been able to facilitate the diagnosis of various diseases. By using AI to detect patterns across thousands of cancer cell images, researchers at the University of British Columbia identified a particularly dangerous form of uterine cancer that would not have been possible to recognize otherwise.

Since AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data quickly, they can detect warning signs more easily than humans, and early treatment can save lives and lead to treatments that do not require many surgeries as well.

One of the tools tested in the UK analyzed over 10,000 mammogram images, discovering small tumors that may be invisible to the human eye, leading to early diagnosis.

In another recent case, researchers found that AI, when paired with a specific blood test, could diagnose Parkinson's disease up to seven years before symptoms appeared.

AI can also assist in diagnosing and analyzing medical records and filling out tedious paperwork, allowing doctors more time to see and treat more patients.

With 6 million Canadians currently without a doctor, this additional capability of AI could make a significant difference.