Computer & Data Science:

Describe a modern application of data science based on machine learning, generative AI or data

analytics. Discuss its context in terms of topic, domain, and societal implications.

As algorithms power the decisions in the healthcare domain, we find ourselves at a crossroad between

efficiency that technology brings and how it clashes with concerns of ethics, bias and privacy. The

process of merging technology and medicine together has been around, surprisingly longer than you

think. It can be dated all the way back to 6000 BCE, during the Mesolithic times when they combined their

technology such as drills, knives and saws to perform surgery and amputation. This may not strike as

much to the modern reader but little advancements, play a part in the vast knowledge of medicine we

have today.[6]

One of the most essential applications of data science leveraging machine learning is the healthcare

sector. It’s specifically used in a range of domains such as medical imaging, genetic information,

treatment outcomes and personalised healthcare. The healthcare sector is undergoing a massive

transformation through the integration of data analytics, AI and machine learning. Majority of the

technology used in medical imaging is vital in our society today, without it many diseases and cancers

would not be identified in time. Medical imaging involves the use of complex algorithms that anaylse the

images form, such as CT(Computed Tomography)scans, MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and the X-

ray scans. All of these scans involve the use of complex machine learning techniques to aid medical

professionals in the speedy diagnosis of the patient. The MIDRC (Medical imaging and data resource

center) is an example of how medical screening can be improved continuously. This was launched in

August 2020 during the COVID 19 pandemic to develop high quality medical images. [2] They frequently

combine AI with medical imaging. They are actively working to investigate the potential bias that AI could

bring when used in medical imaging, such as any pre programmed prejudice.

Deep learning is an essential type of machine learning that enables technological advancements in the

healthcare domain. It uses layers of complex algorithms to process data, this type of processing closely

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mimics the thinking process. Deep learning is concept that was always used in technology, it can be

traced back to 1943, when Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts created the computer model “neural

networks” heavily based of the neural pathways in the human brain.[4]

Social implications could be the early detection and enhanced accuracy. Survival rates increase

sufficiently when the disease is detected earlier and without the possible risk of a human error. This could

potentially save money for hospitals in the long run, as the disease is stopped in its early stages.

“Ultimately, anyone interested in being screened needs to know that if they are unfortunate enough to

develop lung cancer, it can be cured if found early.”- stated by Claudia Henschke, PhD, MD, Professor of

Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology and Director of the Early Lung and Cardiac Action

Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. [3] There has been overwhelming

evidence found by many researchers that the earlier the detection, the longer the life expectancy.

Although, this can’t be said for all types of cancers.The integration of technology in healthcare has many

economic benefits and prolong life expectancy for the community.

There has been a increase in the rate of cancer throughout the recent years, Cancer is a leading cause of

death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.[1]

According to scientists from the WHO claim that cancer is more easily treated if it’s detected in its early

stages, so technology involved in screening is highly valued in society today. [1] Therefore the use of data

analytics has become more prevalent to manage and prevent the disease. One of the most notable

differences that machine learning and data analytics are making is in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The processes behind these breakthrough discoveries involve medical screening and molecular

techniques. QUT are involved in many projects, the large data sets document genomic changes, scientists

were able to analyse how this correlates with cancer. [5] Researchers at UCL have conducted experiments

that use AI and data analytics to understand breast cancer more. AI has been used in an efficient way to

analyse large data sets. Dr Lee Hudson,Clinical Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant General

Paediatrician at UCL states that "If you take your dataset and give each of the variables a complexity

rating you can work backwards and spot which one is the cause……. we wanted to see if there was a

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way of combining datasets, ones with gaps or where researchers were asking different questions to what

they're interested in now. That could be a game-changer."[9]

Although the use of technology in the healthcare domain has many benefits, the surface level

implications of technology in healthcare can disadvantage some demographics. In the UK alone, the NHS

app registration increased from 2 million people to 30 million people from 2021 to 2023. [0] These huge

numbers may indicate that the beginning stages of all consultations will be done online. However it is

important to consider all sub groups that make up a society. Socioeconomic factors make the particular

groups of people more likely to be digitally excluded. The benefits of technology aren't accessible by

everyone yet - around 7% of households don’t have access to the internet. [0] Specialise consideration

when dealing with privacy and how to handle user data. Balancing the risks and rewards of integrating

data science and machine learning will bring about an optimal result that will benefit society in the best

way possible.

As society progresses and data science advances, we can combine machine learning and data science at

its most advanced level, quantum computing. Many scientists are currently working to fully utilise the use

of quantum computing and mechanics in medical projects. The potential of quantum computing in

medicine is promising; its involvement in medicine is still under great scrutiny in the biomedical

community. One of the areas that quantum computing coils revoulutionise is pharmacology, specifically

clinical trials. Quantum computing could help document and analyse vast amounts of data and design

more effective patterns/ treatment plans.[7] Quantum computing can contribute to understanding and

stimulating complex protein folding and modeling. This new technology could help scientists to

understand and help treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Hunninginton’s, as they occur

when protein doesn’t fold properly. [8]

References

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[0] - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/inclusive-digital-healthcare-a-framework-for-nhs-action-on-digital-

inclusion/

[1] - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer#:~:text=Key%20facts,and%20rectum%20and

%20prostate%20cancers.

[2]- https://www.nibib.nih.gov/medical-imaging-and-data-resource-center

[3]- https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2022/lung-cancer-screening-dramatically-increases-long-term-

survival-rate

[4] https://www.dataversity.net/brief-history-deep-learning/#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20deep

%20learning,networks%20of%20the%20human%20brain.

[5] - https://research.qut.edu.au/qutcds/projects/improving-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment-using-data-analytics/

#:~:text=Finally%2C%20the%20genetic%20abnormalities%20change,drug%20sensitivity%20or%20drug

%20resistance.

[6]- https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/medical-devices-and-technology-across-the-

years/

[7] - https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/dias/ideas/dias-research-programmes/quantum-computing-for-clinical-

research#:~:text=In%20health%20and%20biomedical%20research,trials%20simulation%2C%20medical%20imaging

%20analysis.

[8]- https://towardsdatascience.com/quantum-landscape-for-protein-discovery-62c0c86fc27e

[9]- https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2020/feb/artificial-intelligence-can-spot-when-correlation-means-causation

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