How cognitive systems are leading the healthcare evolution

Posted on Tuesday October 28, 2014.

As technology is changing our quality of life more and more, our world is now becoming wired to create and collect mountains of data. Through our tweets, likes, shares, blogs, followers, video uploads, GPS movements, banking transactions, and all other data collected by the technology that now surrounds our everyday lives, there is a gold mine of possibilities awaiting us. A new natural resource in the form of a database that can potentially be taken advantage of by all of us to improve many areas of our healthcare.

Our scientific and technical capabilities are making significant advances every day and our ability to compile this data and start to make sense of it is starting to come into fruition. As a result, we are beginning to see a new class of 'cognitive systems' that are capable of learning and becoming more intelligent, over time, by giving us insights as they interact with us and our data. In the near future, these cognitive systems will be seen as our partners in helping to make better decisions in an increasingly complicated world.

Medical advancements are at the forefront of this new way of thinking. The latest smartwatches to enter the market can monitor our pulses and store data, keeping records that help our doctors gauge fitness levels. Doctors will also use our DNA to monitor data and analytics regarding aspects of our health and daily routines; and soon, cognitive computing will inevitibly transform healthcare. This will help doctors to quickly sift through the mountain of medical information they gather, and tap into new sources such as genomics, to diagnose and treat illnesses more quickly and effectively. For instance, computers could help doctors understand how a cancer tumour affects a patient – down to the DNA level – and present a collective set of medications proven to best attack the cancer. Also, the time it takes to pinpoint the right treatment could be slashed from weeks to minutes. It is widely believed that going forward, the NHS could save millions in reducing the amount of ineffective medicine and equipment that is prescribed.

It isn’t only healthcare that is set to benefit:

The classroom that learns from its students… No student is alike, so why should we be taught as if 'one size fits all'? Advancements in cognitive systems will give teachers the insights and tools to understand a student's development throughout their learning, and tailor the curriculum to how each student learns. The systems, powered by sophisticated analytics delivered via The Cloud, will draw on everything from test scores to teachers' notes. Teachers, for instance, could predict which students are not reaching their potential and provide options on how to help them improve.

The city which works round its citizens… Using sensors, smart devices, social media and cloud computing, councils will track billions of events. Whether it's tracking water system usage, traffic patterns, or looming snowstorms and anticipating issues or crafting responses before problems develop, cities will learn to be proactive about reaching out and meeting their citizens' needs. For instance, mobile devices and social engagement will enable citizens to strike up relationships with city leaders so their voices will be heard – not only on election day, but every day.

The computer which guards its user's security… Patient confidentiality is currently a huge issue and using these new technologies, we can reduce the risk of any information being leaked. All of the different IDs and devices we have make us that much more vulnerable to hacks and fraud. In five years, each of us will have our own 'virtual guardian' that, by learning about us, will know how we use different devices. This will help our 'guardian' automatically spot patterns that could be precursors to a cyber attack or a stolen identity, then advise us right away – all while safeguarding the privacy of our personal information.

The retailers that know what their customers want before the customers do… Using cognitive systems, retailers will provide salespeople and stores with the equipment they need to anticipate individual customers' needs while also helping consumers consult with their social media connections about purchases. This innovation will magnify the digital experience by bringing the web right to where the shopper can physically touch it. One of The Foundry's clients has already starting to take advantage of this type of data. Using a breakdown of average income in a particular geographical area, our client can analyse which price band to focus on in their many stores. For example, some of the more expensive products are likely to sell better in an area with a high average income – and vice versa.