Artificial intelligence in respiratory medicine: The journey so far – A review

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the medical field has opened a wide range of possibilities. Currently, the role of AI in the medical field is limited to image analysis (radiological and histopathology images), identifying and alerting about specific health conditions, and supporting clinical decisions. The future of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and management is expected to undergo significant transformation with the use of radiomics, radiogenomics, and virtual biopsy. AI can also help physicians diagnose and treat a variety of respiratory illnesses, including interstitial lung diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pleural diseases such as effusion and pneumothorax, pneumonia, pulmonary artery hypertension, and tuberculosis. AI can also help in the automated analysis and reporting of lung function tests, polysomnography, and recorded breath sounds. Through robotic technology, AI is set to create new milestones in the realm of interventional pulmonology. A well-trained AI may also offer new insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases and may also assist in outlining the best course of action with the horizontal integration of patients' digital health records, digital radiographic images, digital pathology images, and biochemical lab reports. As with any technology, doctors and researchers should be aware of the advantages and limitations of AI, and they should use it responsibly to advance knowledge and provide better care to patients.