When Machines Meet Medicine: Harnessing AI for Better Health

This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Ms. Palak Agarwal is a final-year MBBS student at GMERS Medical College, India. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from futuristic speculation to an active force in reshaping health and healthcare. From diagnostics to system management, AI is revolutionising the way we understand, prevent, and treat disease. As the world grapples with rising health demands and resource limitations, AI offers immense promise but also brings its share of challenges that cannot be ignored.

AI’s most visible achievements are in diagnostics. Algorithms trained on vast medical datasets can detect cancers, strokes, or retinal diseases with accuracy sometimes surpassing human specialists. This means earlier interventions, better survival rates, and reduced system costs. As one clinician remarked, “AI is not here to replace doctors, it is here to give them sharper tools.” By relieving professionals from repetitive tasks, AI enables more time for human connection, empathy, and holistic decision making.

Public health is another area transformed. Predictive modelling has allowed authorities to forecast disease outbreaks, identify at risk populations, and mobilise resources efficiently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AI tools tracked spread, accelerated vaccine development, and guided treatment strategies in real time. Looking ahead, such systems could become our first line of defence in future health crises.

Equally striking is the rise of personalised medicine. By analysing genetics, lifestyle, and electronic health records, AI can design treatment plans tailored to individuals rather than relying on “one-size-fits-all” protocols. Wearables and mobile health apps extend this vision by continuously monitoring vital signs, giving early warnings before conditions escalate. “It feels like carrying a personal health assistant in your pocket,” one patient described after using an AI powered device.

Yet, alongside these benefits, significant concerns demand attention. Data privacy is paramount: sensitive health information, if misused or breached, could have devastating consequences. Algorithmic bias is another critical issue. If AI systems are trained predominantly on data from specific populations, they risk producing inequitable outcomes for others. For instance, diagnostic tools tested on Western datasets may underperform in low  and middle income countries. Moreover, over reliance on AI could weaken the doctor patient bond if technology overshadows human interaction.

There are also systemic risks. Implementing AI requires major investments in infrastructure, training, and maintenance, which can widen the digital divide between resource rich and resource poor regions. As one healthcare worker warned, “Without equitable access, AI could deepen inequalities rather than bridge them.”

To move forward, trust must be built. Transparent algorithms, human oversight, and clear accountability frameworks are essential. Regulations should encourage innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights. Education is equally vital: clinicians and patients must understand AI’s capabilities and limits to use it responsibly.

Artificial intelligence is not a panacea, but it is a powerful ally if harnessed wisely. The challenge before us is to innovate boldly while guarding against risks, ensuring that AI becomes a tool of inclusion rather than exclusion. Ultimately, technology must remain human centred. After all, as one health leader put it, “Machines may guide us, but it is compassion that heals.”

About the author

Palak Agarwal is a final-year MBBS student at GMERS Medical College, India. Passionate about the evolving world of medical science, she is deeply engaged in both academic learning and public health initiatives. Palak has been an active participant in MSAI activities, contributing to meaningful discussions and on-ground actions. Outside the realm of medicine, she finds joy in reading and expressing her creativity through painting. She believes in the power of words and ideas to bring change and is always eager to explore intersections between science, society, and the arts.

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