From “AIyo” to AI. Is AI buzzword suffering from unfortunate baggage? How are we prepping for AI in Healthcare? Muddled thoughts of an enthusiast

As I start scribbling down a few points about the most discussed topic of the 21st century, AI (A top tier consulting firm predicts AI healthcare market is expected to hit $6.6 billion by 2021.),  there are three quick points which I wanted to make in full disclosure:

• “Aiyo”, a phrase which I extensively use, typical of a South Indian, is now a legit English word as it has made its way to the Oxford dictionary. The dictionary is brief in its description: “In Southern India and Sri Lanka, expressing distress, regret, or grief; ‘Oh no!’, ‘Oh dear!’.” Regardless, it's a gross modest representation of articulations the expression bears us. Now the dictionary has reduced “aiyo” to cud, weakening all its colorful possibilities, what will the Bangalore bloke say the next time he fails to explain “AI” to himself and his Mom?” A “generic” I yo” …  
• While I have been extremely fascinated with AI, following the trends quite actively, I have no real hands-on experience working in the space and all the expressions used by the Oxford dictionary in its description of “Aiyo” did surface a few times while writing this piece
• Finally, a topic as hot as AI cannot be done justice in just a simple, brief write up. In other words, this will be the first of many randomly hashed out thoughts and learnings.  

“Cut to the chase”, I tell myself and gather more courage to write. As Dave Matthews Band sings “ Where are you going?” ( I hear it as the singer is trying comfort a troubled individual who is retreating into an AI world he can't see and is trying to understand), I seek safe harbor in questions.

• What does the term AI mean? How is it being defined in the Healthcare space?
• How are the AI trends evolving? What are some of the common use cases?
• How do we address the various stages where bias is introduced into AI systems (ideation, design, development, validation, and deployment) and how do we specifically advance equity and fairness? What role can standards play?
• Patient data is the much-needed fuel for the Healthcare AI training datasets. How do patient rights need to evolve and adapt?
• How should user-centered design be championed, particularly for physicians and other members of the health care team in the context of IoT?
• What tools or information should patients and consumers have so that they are able to rely on the safety, effectiveness, and equity of AI systems, particularly those with clinical applications?
• Can AI support access for vulnerable populations to improve outcomes and reduce costs? Can AI help address social determinants of health (SDOH)?
• How can physicians get involved in the design, development, evaluation, and dissemination of AI systems and methods to ensure their voice is heard and their input is incorporated into these tools?
• What tools or information should patients and consumers have so they are able to rely on the safety, effectiveness and equity of AI systems, particularly those with clinical applications?

I gasp looking at my laundry list of questions, Hold On! Wait a minute ….I have my eureka moment. What if I sign up for a content curation “AI” app and then proceeded to lean into answering these questions pretty hard?  Within a few hours I might get spammed multiple times by the same platform for tutorials on how to start blogging.

While I am excited and tempted at the same time to share pointers on each of the above questions, I pacify myself suggesting that tackling the most complex business issues can, should and will take a lot of diverse points of view and hence it is okay to be in the state of bewilderment. Also, learning through observing has always been a more humbling experience as compared to thinking and trying to arrive at answers. I decide to give myself some additional time to observe things from close quarters, chew the cud on AI and recapitulate my learnings.

On that note, let’s get to hear the world say “AI” yo, your majesty.”