July 2023 International Blog – How will AI affect health & safety?
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
During my 1970’s schooldays, conversations would sometimes address a concern: “are computers taking over the world?”
Keep in mind that this was during the era when a computer needed to be housed in a large air conditioned room, memory stored on reel-to-reel tape, and data input via holes punched in paper.
There were no touchscreens, graphic interfaces, sound cards, and the only mouse was the one living in the floor void below, chewing through the cables. Nevertheless, far-sighted people knew about Moore's Law predicting that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles every two year, so we could expect the speed and capability of computers to increase every two years, yet pay less for them.
Moore’s prediction largely came true, and you are probably familiar with the analogy of current computers being much smaller, lighter, at least 1,000 times faster, and having storage capacities that are millions of times those achievable in the 1969 Apollo moon-landing guidance computer.
Where is all this leading?
Eventually, boffins may no longer be able to overcome the physical limitations of building ever faster, smaller computers and dispersing the heat generated before the processors melt.
Nevertheless, we have reached a tipping point where intelligent machines are capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
AI systems as they are known, are designed to simulate and mimic human cognitive functions, such as problem-solving, learning, perception, and decision-making.
You are probably using artificial intelligence already in:
- Face ID and image recognition.
- Texting when your smartphone suggests a reply.
- Apps.
- Social media.
- Google search.
- Digital voice assistants like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa.
- Online banking.
- Driving aids – route mapping, traffic updates, weather conditions
How will AI help improve your health & safety?
The World Health Organization, with support from the Qatar Ministry of Health, has launched the AI-powered WHO Digital Health Worker, Florence version 2.0, offering an innovative and interactive platform to share a variety of health topics.
Florence can share advice on mental health, give tips to de-stress, provide guidance on how to eat healthily, be more active, and quit tobacco/e-cigarettes.
She can also offer information on COVID-19 vaccines and more.
Florence 2.0 is now available in English with more language to follow.
“Digital technology plays a critical role in helping people worldwide lead healthier lives,” said Andy Pattison, WHO’s Team Lead for Digital Channels. “The AI health worker Florence is a shining example of the potential to harness technology to promote and protect people’s physical and mental health.”
Give it a try!
Granted, these are early days, with AI still in its infancy, but “Florence” offers a useful pointer to what is to come.
Open the website Florence, WHO’s first virtual health worker, click “Start your journey
today”, and ask Florence some questions.
At the moment, her advice is limited to:
- Tobacco products
- Healthy living
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Mental health.
Doubtless the list will increase, but already, the WHO has pointed the way ahead to the solving of all sorts of health, safety and environmental questions.
Remember those first early computers, then watch this space to see how AI is shaping our
world.
Contact us
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If you need to call upon our expert assistance, or just for an informal chat, please call our
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