Smart Nation 2.0: Professor Joseph Sung on artificial intelligence in science

Summary

Professor Joseph S, Dean of Lee Kong Chan School of Medicine at NTU, discusses Singapore's $120 million investment in AI for science and medicine. He emphasizes the importance of integrating AI with domain expertise, particularly in clinical medicine, where AI can improve diagnosis and treatment. The funding will support clinical trials and implementation studies to build trust in AI among patients and ensure data security. As AI adoption grows, Singapore aims to stay competitive globally by advancing AI applications in healthcare, enhancing patient outcomes, and leading in technological innovation.

Takeaways

• 💡 Singapore is investing $120 million in AI research, particularly to build a strong research ecosystem and develop a bilingual talent pool proficient in AI and science.
• 🧠 Proficiency in AI and scientific expertise is essential, as AI is increasingly penetrating all aspects of life, especially in areas like clinical medicine.
• 👩‍⚕️ In medicine, AI can help make more accurate diagnoses and improve patient treatments, but only if healthcare professionals know how to leverage the technology.
• 🔬 The investment will support clinical trials to provide evidence that AI technology can lead to better outcomes for patients.
• 🏥 Beyond clinical trials, the funding will also go toward implementation studies to integrate AI into daily healthcare practices and ensure streamlined services.
• 🔒 Data security is a major concern for patients, who want to ensure their personal information is handled securely when used in AI applications.
• 👨‍⚕️ Patient trust in AI is crucial, and healthcare providers must use AI responsibly and reassure patients about the safety and accuracy of these technologies.
• 🤖 Patients are generally open to AI, but they show more concern when it comes to major decisions, like surgeries performed by AI-enabled robots.
• 🌍 Singapore is performing well globally in AI in science and healthcare, with strong governmental support and a careful approach to data use.
• 🚀 AI has the potential to benefit various industries, from diagnostics to pharmaceuticals, by advancing technologies like X-rays, CT scans, and robotics.

Q & A

Why is it necessary to be proficient in AI and also an expert in the field of science, according to Professor Joseph?

AI is penetrating all aspects of life, especially in science and medicine, where it can enhance decision-making, improve diagnosis accuracy, and offer better treatment. Being proficient in AI alongside expertise in science is essential to leverage AI's benefits and avoid being replaced by the technology.

How will the $120 million investment in AI be used in Singapore's smart nation initiative?

The investment will support building a vibrant research ecosystem and a bilingual talent pool proficient in AI and one domain in science. It will also fund clinical trials and implementation studies to provide evidence that AI can improve patient outcomes and streamline service delivery.

What are the key areas of focus for AI research in medicine according to the professor?

Key areas include conducting clinical trials to demonstrate AI's effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and performing implementation studies to ensure that AI technologies are seamlessly integrated into clinical practice.

What concerns do patients have about AI in medicine?

Patients are concerned about the accuracy of AI in recommending the best treatments and about the security of their personal data. They want to ensure that AI-based tools are reliable and that their privacy is protected.

How does Professor Joseph suggest addressing patient concerns about AI in medicine?

He suggests that clinical trials can demonstrate AI’s accuracy in treatment recommendations, while proper data security measures and transparency in AI usage can alleviate concerns about privacy and trust.

How receptive are patients to the use of AI in medical practice?

According to Professor Joseph, patients are generally receptive, especially when their doctors and nurses trust the AI tools. However, major decisions, like surgeries performed by AI-driven robots, can still provoke concerns among patients.

What impact will AI adoption have on Singapore in the global competition for science and healthcare innovation?

AI adoption will help Singapore stay competitive in areas like drug development, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices. By investing in AI, Singapore aims to stay at the forefront of healthcare and science innovation globally.

How is Singapore positioned globally in AI for science and medicine?

Singapore is ahead of many other countries, with a careful use of data and significant government investment in AI research. This positions the country to lead advancements in AI in the healthcare and science sectors.

How will AI impact the broader healthcare and science industries?

AI can benefit industries involved in diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices by improving the accuracy and capabilities of tools like x-rays, CT scans, and robotic surgeries, ultimately advancing patient care.

What are the next steps for AI development in Singapore's healthcare sector?

The next steps include conducting more research and clinical trials, improving implementation studies to ensure successful adoption, and gaining patient trust to ensure widespread acceptance of AI-driven tools in healthcare.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Singapore's Push for AI in Science and Medicine

Singapore is investing $120 million into AI research, aiming to build a vibrant AI ecosystem and develop bilingual talent proficient in AI and a scientific domain. Professor Joseph S., Dean of Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, explains that expertise in AI is crucial, especially in fields like clinical medicine. AI can enhance decision-making in life-and-death scenarios, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and improved treatments. However, those who fail to embrace AI may be left behind or replaced by it.

05:02

🧑‍🔬 Funding AI Research to Improve Medical Outcomes

Professor Joseph emphasizes that the funding will help advance clinical trials, gathering evidence that AI can improve patient outcomes. The money will also support implementation studies, focusing on how AI can streamline healthcare practices. The goal is to ensure both clinics and patients trust the technology, as trust is key for successful adoption in daily medical practices.

🔐 Addressing Ethical Concerns with AI in Medicine

Patients are concerned about AI's accuracy and the security of their personal data. Clinical trials are essential to demonstrate that AI can provide the best treatment outcomes. Data security is another major concern, with fears of data abuse. Healthcare professionals must reassure patients that their data is used securely, gaining their trust in AI-driven practices.

🤝 Building Trust with Patients on AI Usage

According to Professor Joseph, patients are generally receptive to AI when trusted by their doctors. However, for major decisions, such as surgeries performed by AI-powered robots, patients may be more hesitant. Continued research and implementation studies are essential to build acceptance and trust in AI tools across medical procedures.

🌍 AI Adoption and Global Competition

Singapore must keep pace with global developments in AI, especially in healthcare innovations like drug development and diagnostics. Professor Joseph stresses the need for significant investment to remain competitive in the fast-moving global AI landscape, positioning Singapore at the forefront of these advancements.

🏅 Singapore's Strong AI Standing in Science

Singapore has made great strides in AI, surpassing many other countries due to its open system and careful data usage. With significant government investment, Singapore is well-positioned to lead globally in AI-driven healthcare innovations, benefiting industries like diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices through improved technology integration.

Keywords

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines designed to perform tasks that typically require human cognition, such as decision-making and problem-solving. In the video, AI is highlighted as a transformative tool across industries, especially in medicine, where it is used for making more accurate diagnoses and improving patient care. The speaker emphasizes that being proficient in AI is crucial in today's scientific fields to stay competitive and make informed, technology-driven decisions.

💡$120 million funding

This refers to the significant investment by Singapore in AI and science research, aimed at building a vibrant ecosystem for innovation. The funding will support initiatives such as clinical trials and implementation studies to ensure AI can improve healthcare outcomes. The speaker suggests that this financial commitment is critical for ensuring Singapore remains at the forefront of AI development in the medical and scientific fields.

💡Clinical trials

Clinical trials are research studies performed on people to evaluate medical, surgical, or behavioral interventions. In the video, the professor discusses how the $120 million funding will be used for clinical trials to gather evidence on how AI can enhance patient outcomes. These trials are essential to prove that AI technologies are beneficial and safe for medical use.

💡Data security

Data security refers to the protection of personal and sensitive data from unauthorized access or breaches. In the context of AI in healthcare, ensuring that patients' medical information is securely handled is a major concern. The professor mentions that patients worry about the misuse or leakage of their data when AI tools are involved, and gaining their trust depends on addressing these security concerns effectively.

💡Bilingual talent pool

A bilingual talent pool refers to a workforce proficient in both AI technology and a specific scientific domain. The script mentions this as a goal for Singapore, where researchers and professionals must be skilled not only in AI but also in their respective fields, such as medicine or clinical sciences, to fully leverage AI’s potential. This dual expertise is seen as necessary for keeping up with the rapid advancements in global technology.

💡Implementation studies

Implementation studies assess how new technologies or methods can be integrated into everyday practices, ensuring they are effectively adopted. In the video, the professor stresses that the funding will also support these studies, which focus on how AI can be practically applied in clinical settings to streamline services, gain trust from both medical practitioners and patients, and avoid resistance to new technologies.

💡Trust and patient acceptance

Trust and patient acceptance are key factors in the successful adoption of AI in healthcare. The professor points out that while patients are generally open to AI, they may hesitate when it comes to major decisions, such as robotic surgeries. Building trust is essential, and this is achieved through proven safety and effectiveness via clinical trials and transparent data usage.

💡Global competition in AI

Global competition in AI refers to the race among nations to lead in AI development and application across industries. The speaker mentions how countries around the world are advancing rapidly in AI technologies, particularly in healthcare. Singapore aims to stay competitive by investing heavily in AI research and maintaining an open and innovative system, positioning itself as a leader in the field.

💡Robotic surgery

Robotic surgery is a form of surgery performed with the help of robotic systems, often powered by AI. In the video, the professor mentions this as a potential area where patients might feel hesitant, as they may trust human doctors over AI-driven robots. Robotic surgery, though promising in terms of precision, still requires public confidence for broader adoption in healthcare.

💡Personal privacy

Personal privacy refers to the protection of individuals' private information, particularly their medical records, from being exposed or misused. The professor notes that alongside accuracy, data privacy is a significant concern for patients when it comes to AI adoption in healthcare. Ensuring that AI technologies are designed with strict data security protocols is key to building trust among users.

Highlights

Singapore is investing $120 million to boost AI research, focusing on building a bilingual talent pool proficient in AI and science.

AI has a significant impact on various fields, including entertainment, shopping, and science, with a particular emphasis on clinical medicine.

AI advancements in medicine can help make more accurate diagnoses and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

There is a need for healthcare professionals to understand AI, as it could either benefit them or replace their roles if not properly leveraged.

The funding will support clinical trials and research to provide evidence that AI improves patient outcomes.

Implementation studies will be conducted to explore how AI can streamline daily medical practices and gain trust from patients.

One key concern is whether AI tools can provide accurate recommendations, especially in life-and-death situations.

Data privacy and security are major patient concerns when it comes to AI use in healthcare.

Gaining patient trust is essential for the successful adoption of AI in clinical settings.

Patients are generally receptive to AI when trusted medical professionals advocate its use, but concerns arise with major decisions like surgery.

Singapore aims to stay competitive globally by investing in AI advancements, keeping pace with fast global developments.

Singapore is ahead of many other countries in AI development due to its open data policies and government support.

AI will significantly impact various sectors, including drug development, diagnostics, vaccines, and medical devices.

AI is expected to improve technologies such as CT scans, X-rays, and robotic surgeries, advancing patient treatment.

AI will benefit the healthcare industry as a whole if developed and used responsibly, with public acceptance being key.

Transcripts

in Singapore's next push to be a smart

Nation

$120 million for AI in signs will go

towards building a vibrant research

ecosystem and a bilingual talent pool

proficient in Ai and at least one domain

in science to understand that challenge

we'll speak next to Professor Joseph s

he is Dean of the Le Kong Chen school of

medicine at n he is also co-director

Center of AI in medicine at n uh

professor thank you so much for joining

us today so first of all could you tell

us why it is necessary to be proficient

in Ai and also be an expert in the field

of science well AI penetrate into every

aspects of our life from uh you know

entertainment to shopping but in science

and in my part of the science clinical

medicine it is even more important

because the advancement can go beyond

our knowledge can coped with and uh in

medicine for example where we deal with

life and death situation a lot of

decisions have to made carefully and

therefore with AI we should be able to

make more accurate diagnosis and to

perform better treatment for our

patients however if we don't know how to

leverage this new technology we may not

be benefit from it or we may even be

replaced by technology we are looking at

an investment of $120 million how will

this additional funding support more

research in areas that you are involved

in so in medicine what we need is to

provide more evidence that AI technology

can actually translate into better

outcome for our patients to give better

treatment to our patients so this

funding will be able to help to do

clinical trials so that we can obtain

such evidence besides clinical trials we

should also put the money in into

implementation studies which means that

we want to study how technology can be

applied to our daily practice to

streamline the delivery of service and

that is actually very important because

we cannot just impos on clinics and

patients to use this technology we will

need to gain their trust and support uh

if we want to use it successfully so

when it comes to using AI um and also

you were talking about expanding our

clinical trials initiatives there

naturally there are concerns about its

risks and ethics but patients would want

to know how will the use of AI in

science and medicine benefit them yeah I

think from the patients perspective two

major uh concern is number one whether

AI is actually accurate whether the

recommendation that they give give them

the best benefit of the treatment so

that part can be answered by clinical

trials the other part that patients

usually are concern is that when their

data when their personal privacy uh it's

being exposed to AI whether this data

being used securely whether um people

will not be able to abuse the data so

data security is another major concern

so for us who are going to use AI in

clinical practice we will have to you

know exercise um our discretion to use

AI in the appropriate way and to

reassure our patient that their data

will not be leaked it is really about

gaining the support and Trust in the

patients uh have they been generally

receptive to using AI tools though I

mean or do you think more needs to be

done to encourage them to to be involved

in AI Tools in general I think our

patients are quite uh receptive to the

idea especially if they're doctors and

nurses are trusting the use of AI

however when it comes to Major decision

for example whether or not they need a

major surgery or whether the robots with

AI is doing the surgery is instead of

their human doctor is doing it yeah then

there will be more concern about it so I

think we will still continue to do more

research and also to do more

implementation study as I said to gain

the acceptance and Trust of our patients

how will boosting AI adoption and

development in sence uh Fields stad

Singapore amidst the global competition

well the whole world is moving really

fast in this development uh from drug

development vaccines new Diagnostics new

CT and so on so we should really be uh

putting a lot of efforts and resources

to invest onto this so that Singapore

can keep a breast to the the frontiers

of of this new advancement where does

Singapore globally when it comes to AI

in science Fields Prof I would say that

Singapore is actually doing very well uh

we are ahead of many other country

because we have a very open system uh

the data is uh being used very carefully

and uh the government has put in quite

significant resources to develop this so

we are in a very good position to

advance further and even lead the world

in this area looking at this new wave of

AI in science and Healthcare how do you

think is going to change or help the

industry as a whole well the industry

obviously will also benefit from it if

AI is developed in the right way and

being used appropriately and accepted by

the public from the diagnostic company

to pharmaceutical company or even

company that make machines such as uh

x-rays CT scaned or robots uh a lot of

AI can be applied into these devices to

advance the treatment for our patients

Professor s we appreciate your insights

thank you so much for speaking with us

tonight that was Professor Joseph s from

the Lee Kong Chan school of medicine at

NTU