Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging

More than 14 years ago, Erika Brown was diagnosed with late-stage colorectal cancer. The diagnosis made her feel lost and alone with nowhere to turn, which inspired her to connect with other patients like her. While her path to recovery was long and arduous, she learned from her experience and from connecting with others the challenges of living “scan to scan.”

These experiences– and the unique perspective many colon cancer patients have shared with her – motivated Erika to speak at a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting about the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical devices.

For years, AI has had growing influence within America’s healthcare system, including in the area of diagnostic imaging. As someone who knows all-too-well the anxiety of living from one medical imaging scan to the next, Erika provided the FDA with her perspective on AI and the future of diagnostic imaging.

AI can play an important role in the diagnostic and care delivery pathway. It can help radiologists and physicians follow clinical guidelines. It can reduce unnecessary or inappropriate imaging, and, if properly developed and regulated, AI can help shrink ongoing healthcare disparities that were especially highlighted by the onset of the COVID-crisis.

The FDA has done a laudatory job getting safe and effective AI modalities into use. Through her recent statements, Erika encouraged the agency to continue supporting AI solutions that advance public health and reduce the heavy burden of disease.