AI in healthcare uses machine learning to help diagnose illness, read medical images, speed up research and support clinicians, under safety rules for medical devices.
In plain words
Many uses are about spotting patterns: flagging a possible problem on a scan, predicting which patients need attention, or sorting research data. In the US, AI that counts as a medical device must pass FDA review before it is sold, and the FDA keeps a public list of authorised AI-enabled devices. The WHO says ethics and human rights must shape how such tools are built and used.
A quick example
Imagine a hospital using an FDA-authorised tool that reviews chest scans and highlights areas that might need a closer look. The radiologist still makes the diagnosis, but the tool helps urgent cases reach the top of the queue.
Where you'll meet it
- Medical imaging, triage and clinical decision support.
- Drug development and health research.
Related
Sources
- DocsArtificial Intelligence-Enabled Medical Devices, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · read 29 Sept 2026
- DocsEthics and governance of artificial intelligence for health, World Health Organization · read 29 Sept 2026
Checked by WhatIsAI against the sources above · 29 Sept 2026. Spotted an error? Report it.