Artificial intelligence (AI) aims to mimic human cognitive functions. It is bringing a paradigm shift to healthcare, powered by the increasing availability of healthcare data and rapid progress of analytics techniques. AI can be applied to various types of healthcare data (structured and unstructured). Popular AI techniques include machine learning methods for structured data, such as the classical support vector machine and neural network, modern deep learning, and natural language processing for unstructured data. Major disease areas that use AI tools include cancer, neurology and cardiology. 

While AI is rapidly developing in various medical fields, there is an increase in research performed in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Endoscopy is one of the cornerstones in the field of gastroenterology. The original fiberoptic endoscope was developed in the 1950s. From this point in time and decade after decade, the endoscopy field continues to grow and evolve. 

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was developed in the 1970s and EUS in the 1980s, further showing the potential of endoscopy to have no boundaries. The image quality of the scope is now high-definition white light, along with optical enhancements such as narrow-band imaging (NBI), to improve mucosal surface inspection to identify and interpret abnormal areas. Outside of medicine, we have seen the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives, from Waze for navigation, smartphones, and, most recently, self-driving cars. It was only a matter of time before AI would enter the GI arena in the endoscopy area. AI medical applications have occurred in ophthalmology, dermatology, and other regions. In endoscopy, AI started in colonoscopy to help improve polyp and adenoma detection and interpret the lesion patterns, differentiating between benign and precancerous polyps.

AI model in Odisha

While AI is transforming healthcare globally, Omega Healthcare and Sanjivani Gastro Liver Clinic have brought AI-enabled endoscopy to Odisha. This advanced facility will aid in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.

According to the Senior consultant and head of gastroenterology and hepatology at Omega Healthcare, Dr Sushant Kumar Sethi, patients will immensely benefit from the identification and treatment of cancerous, precancerous and even non-cancerous lesions with the help of the advanced technology-assisted endoscopy procedure.

According to the doctor, The success rate is very high as it detects and rectifies human errors. Suppose an endoscopist misses something during a procedure. In that case, the machine picks it up with its deep learning mechanism and computer-assisted detection (CAD) technology to minimize and correct the error.

This technology will aid in diagnosing and treating many complex GI disorders with absolute ease and precision. This technology was primarily limited to Japan and the US. Now, it will be available in India as well.

Conclusion

Owing to their rapid development, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies offer an excellent promise for gastroenterology practice and research. At present, AI-guided image interpretation has already been used with success for endoscopic detection of early malignant lesions. 

The usage of AI algorithms for polyp detection in screening colonoscopy results in a significant increase in the adenoma detection rate, mainly attributed to the identification of diminutive polyps. Computer-aided characterization of colorectal polyps accompanies the detection, but further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical benefit. In contrast to colonoscopy, the usage of AI in gastroscopy is currently somewhat limited. Regarding other fields of endoscopic imaging, capsule endoscopy is the ideal imaging platform for AI due to the potential to save time in video analysis.