RSU Scientists’ Breakfast highlights current projects in AI and digital medicine
At the recent Scientists’ Breakfast held at Rīga Stradiņš University and dedicated to the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Medicine in the Doctor’s Office”, experts examined how new technologies are already affecting patient care and what challenges still need to be addressed to integrate them safely into the healthcare system. The event also featured several current RSU Fundamental and Applied Research Programme projects related to the use of artificial intelligence in medical imaging, the use of digital solutions to engage patients in screening programmes, and the development of digital biomarkers for monitoring the course of chronic diseases.
RSU tenured professor Maija Radziņa introduced the A.I.B.M. project, which is developing interpretable artificial intelligence solutions for identifying metastases in medical images. The system uses deep learning algorithms and annotated radiology data to improve diagnostic accuracy and reliability.
RSU researcher Artis Alksnis, in turn, presented the project “Notifier” (Apziņotājs), which aims to increase colorectal cancer screening coverage through an automated patient notification and monitoring system in GP practices. Within this system, patients receive personalised invitations, reminders and information about results, based on principles of behaviour change.
Meanwhile, RSU leading researcher Uldis Berķis spoke at the Scientists’ Breakfast about digital monitoring for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This study is intended to use a broad spectrum of data, ranging from questionnaires and biosensors to cognitive tests, in order to better understand disease progression and individualise treatment.
Artificial intelligence in medicine: faster than humans, but can it be trusted?
A recurring question throughout the discussion concerned trust in artificial intelligence. As the experts stressed, the main challenge in medicine is not only technological development, but also the ability to demonstrate accuracy and explainability.
“Until we have complete clarity about how artificial intelligence arrives at a particular answer, it will be difficult to place full trust in it,” Radziņa emphasised during the discussion. Alksnis also stressed that artificial intelligence should be seen as an assistant rather than a decision-maker: “The specialist makes the final decision; artificial intelligence acts as an assistant.”
Experts also noted that patients are increasingly seeking answers through digital tools, which heightens the need for doctors to justify their decisions and explain information in an understandable way.
At the same time, the experts agreed that artificial intelligence cannot replace doctors, but it can significantly improve efficiency. By automating routine processes, doctors can devote more time to patients and communication.
Digital medicine cannot advance without well-organised data systems
A major challenge in Latvia remains the fragmentation of health data systems and ageing infrastructure. Participants in the discussion stressed the need to improve data accessibility and strengthen cooperation between the fields of medicine and technology.
It was emphasised that effective solutions are possible only through close cooperation between doctors, researchers and IT specialists in building integrated, user-friendly systems.
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The projects A.I.B.M. – an interpretable artificial intelligence system for identifying bone metastases in CT and MRI imaging, Automated patient engagement and monitoring in colorectal cancer screening in primary care and Digital monitoring for integrated progression assessment in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome are funded by the Latvian Council of Science under the Fundamental and Applied Research Projects Programme (FLPP).
