A.I. to the... operating room
Posted by jjaylad on Friday, Aug 27, 2010
Which is more reliable: an overworked and overpaid surgeon with eyes, or a robot (sans eyes) equipped with none other than artificial intelligence? Soon enough, this question could actually matter.
Using 3-D ultrasound technologies, bioengineers at Duke have explored the potential robot hold in simple biopsy procedures; however, the robots in this experiment is more than an extension of a surgeons arms. Here’s the interesting tidbit: “The robot is “controlled” not by a physician, but by an artificial intelligence program that [relies on data to guide actions].”
Among other benefits, bioengineers behind the experiment tout potentially lower surgical costs as a potential leg up to surgeons. Precision was (comparatively) cited in neither press releases nor research write-ups. Only time will tell.
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