Health authority interim CEO calls for further integration of AI into health care

Nova Scotia needs to merge artificial intelligence into the health-care system by way of a research centre, says the interim CEO of Nova Scotia Health.

At a panel discussion on Friday at a Halifax Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Karen Oldfield said AI has been introduced to the health-care system in small amounts, but more needs to be done. 

"We have to lay this foundation," Oldfield said. "But to get to the predictive analytics, to wellness, to precision medicine, we have to have this." 

Oldfield says the next logical step for the province is to develop a centre of excellence, meaning a hub dedicated to overseeing and researching AI.

Oldfield expanded on this, saying AI would improve clinical efficiency and administration.

Oldfield said AI could be used to determine a population or community with a higher likelihood of contracting diseases, like certain kinds of cancer.

"If we can predict, then we can get ahead of it," said Oldfield.

"That's really where most provinces and most countries want to get.... That's where we need to head."

Oldfield says the development of such a centre would be dependent on people more than money.

"We need the researchers that are able to use that data …to develop their algorithms that can lead us to predictive analytics and precision medicine," said Oldfield.

The proposed AI centre for excellence is only in its early stages.

Oldfield says she has had conversations about a centre with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and various members of the federal government.