In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, generative AI stands out as a tool promising unparalleled efficiency and support. Last year witnessed a surge in its adoption across various industries, with healthcare leading the way to gain a competitive edge. From documentation to clinical decision support and integration with robotics, generative AI applications have showcased their versatility.
Kota Kubo, CEO of Ubie, shares insights into the reception of generative AI among partners in Asia-Pacific and the United States, shedding light on the potential trajectory of this technology in 2024 and beyond.
Q: How is generative AI being received by your partners and how are they benefitting from it?
A: Ubie’s partners in Japan express a keen interest in generative AI, recognizing its potential to enhance work efficiency. However, the challenge lies in accessibility, particularly for those without internet access. Ubie’s cloud-based services have bridged this gap, enabling successful integration of generative AI into clinics and hospitals. A recent feature utilizing a large language model (LLM) for summarizing patient symptoms has garnered positive feedback, showcasing that user-friendly and impactful solutions drive adoption.
Q: Do you see any difference, say, by culture, with how genAI is being received in Japan versus the US?
A: Cultural and healthcare system differences significantly impact the reception of generative AI. Japan’s universal health coverage encourages regular medical visits, while the U.S. system’s complexities often lead patients to avoid healthcare until conditions become severe. Factors like reimbursement play a pivotal role in the U.S. market. Additionally, the centralization of patient data in Japan facilitates scalable AI rollout, whereas network limitations pose challenges in the U.S.
Q: Where do you think the adoption of generative AI in healthcare around Asia and the US will go this year 2024 and in the coming years? Will the hype continue?
A: The hype surrounding generative AI will persist, but adoption will progress cautiously. Safety and effectiveness in various healthcare domains need validation. Regulatory and cultural barriers will be crucial considerations for developers, addressing privacy, local laws, and adapting to diverse health systems. The focus will be on experimentation, data collection, and customization to cater to different cultural contexts.
Q: Where else in healthcare do you think genAI can bring value in the future?
A: The potential applications of generative AI are vast, ranging from impacting clinical trials, documentation, and patient interactions to democratizing insight generation and research. Success will hinge on developers’ understanding of the technology and users’ willingness to embrace change. Intelligent systems that adapt to new inputs, provide accurate results, and facilitate quick implementation of changes will be the differentiators. Change management and addressing cultural differences will be critical for widespread acceptance and utilization. Ultimately, the measure of success will be the positive impact on patients and earning the trust of the healthcare ecosystem.
