AI in medtech effectively helps with medical diagnosis and treatment plan development, drug discovery, and gene modification. 86% of healthcare providers and life science companies were harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in their work already 5 years ago.
Medtech conferences with a focus on AI have become essential platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the unveiling of developments. In this article, we will share 8 events not to miss if you work in the medtech or AI field.
What are the problems that AI helps to solve in medtech in 2024?
Some of the key problems that AI helps to solve in medtech include:
1. Image analysis. AI is employed for image recognition and analysis in medical imaging, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. It helps in detecting and diagnosing conditions with high accuracy.
For example, a new AI tool for image recognition doesn’t just analyze images for diagnosis but is capable of distinguishing between real and fake medical images for integrity checks in scientific papers.
2. Pathology. AI aids pathologists in analyzing tissue samples and identifying abnormalities. In 2023, researchers at Penn Medicine developed an artificial intelligence tool that can quickly analyze gene activities in medical images and provide single-cell insight into diseases in tissues and tissue microenvironments.
The author of the research says,
“Just as a pathologist identifies broader regions and then zooms in on detailed cellular structures, iStar can capture the overarching tissue structures and also focus on the minutiae in a tissue image.”
― Penn Today, New AI tool brings precision pathology for cancer into quicker, sharper focus
3. Personalized medicine. AI algorithms can analyze large datasets, including genetic information, to identify patterns and correlations that can help in tailoring treatment plans based on an individual’s unique characteristics.
In this TED talk, you can discover more about how personalized healthcare can, in the long run, improve the healthcare services for the whole humankind.
4. Drug discovery and development. AI accelerates the drug discovery process by predicting potential drug candidates, optimizing molecular structures, and analyzing large datasets to identify promising targets for diseases.
For example, a Hong Kong-based company Insilico Medicine has discovered the world’s first AI-designed anti-fibrotic small molecule inhibitor drug. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and will be tested on human patients.
5. Remote monitoring and telemedicine. AI enables remote patient monitoring through wearable devices and sensors. It can analyze real-time data, providing insights into a patient’s health status and facilitating early intervention.
For instance, recently a group of researchers have invented a system that tracks movement in real time to estimate the severity of Parkinson’s symptoms. It can be used at the patient’s home. This helps medical professionals to better understand the disease and invent effective ways of combating it in the future.
6. Operational efficiency. AI applications optimize hospital and healthcare system operations, streamlining workflows, scheduling, and resource allocation. This can lead to cost savings and improved patient care.
This video sheds some light on how hospitals and other medical institutions can leverage AI to be more efficient.
7. Mental health support. AI-powered mental health applications assist in early detection of mental health issues, providing support through virtual therapy sessions, mood tracking, and personalized interventions.
AI chatbots that are tailored to providing counseling and psychological aid can make mental healthcare more affordable. However, there is still a lot of work required to bring generative AI to the point where it will be secure and efficient to use to treat mental health problems.
By addressing these challenges, AI in medtech contributes to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and overall advancements in the field of medicine and healthcare.
Top 7 AI conferences in medtech 2024
Here are 7 biggest AI events in medtech in 2024.
1. HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition
HIMSS is a premier event in healthcare information and technology, bringing together a diverse audience of professionals, executives, and vendors. The conference focuses on the intersection of healthcare and technology, including discussions on AI applications, digital health, and data analytics to improve patient care and outcomes.
Location: Rome, Italy
Date: March 11-15, 2024
Entrance fee: early bird starting €489, regular €749.
This is what a visitor says about his experience at the conference:
“But most years, I come as a wide-eyed attendee looking to learn new things and measure the progress that’s been made over the previous year. I come to learn, ask questions and have my presupposed knowledge challenged. I try to drop all the pretensions of being knowledgeable; about all I’ve managed over the last 30 years is being able to ask slightly less dumb questions. I’m excited about the progress the industry has made, and ready to see where it has the potential to head.”
― Fred Bazzoli, HIMSS and ViVE 2024: Looking for healthcare IT’s next frontier
2. IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI)
ISBI is a premier conference in the field of biomedical imaging, covering a wide range of topics related to image acquisition, processing, and analysis for medical applications. The conference brings together researchers, engineers, and healthcare professionals to explore advancements in imaging technologies, including the integration of AI for improved diagnostics and treatment planning.
Location: Athens, Greece
Date: May 27-30, 2024
Entrance fee: to be announced.
3. IEEE International Conference on Healthcare Informatics (ICHI)
ICHI is a conference that focuses on the interdisciplinary field of healthcare informatics, covering topics such as healthcare data analytics, informatics infrastructure, and the application of AI in healthcare. The conference provides a platform for researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas and explore advancements in healthcare information systems.
Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
Date: June 3-6, 2024
Entrance fee: early bird starting at $250, regular $800.
Last year’s event focused on natural language processing in healthcare, as well as ethics and bias of AI. The conference also hosted events on cancer treatment and pharmaceutical discoveries.
4. Medical Imaging with Deep Learning (MIDL)
MIDL is a specialized conference that concentrates on the intersection of deep learning and medical imaging. It provides a platform for researchers and practitioners to present and discuss cutting-edge developments in the use of deep learning techniques for medical image analysis and diagnosis.
Location: Paris, France
Date: July 3-5, 2024
Entrance fee: early bird starting €450, regular €580.
Some of the keynotes speeches of previous years include such topics as “Transport-Based Image rRepresentations for Better Machine Learning,” “Integrating Radiomics and Autonomous AI in the Clinical Workflow: Economic Considerations and Regulatory Challenges,” and “Translating University Research Through Startups to the Real World.” While the focus of the conference is on medical imagery, it covers broader subjects related to the use of AI research in healthcare.
5. Machine Learning for Healthcare Conference
The Machine Learning for Healthcare Conference is dedicated to exploring the intersection of machine learning and healthcare. It brings together experts from academia, industry, and healthcare institutions to discuss the latest research, applications, and challenges in applying machine learning techniques to medical data for personalized medicine and improved healthcare delivery.
Location: Toronto, Canada
Date: August 16-17, 2024
Entrance fee: early bird starting at $225 for students, $350 for others.
Last year’s event explored the use of AI in various medical applications such as X-ray analysis, as well as perspectives of the application of large language models by medical students and professionals. Bias of deep learning models was a central issue to many papers, underlining that accountability and security of AI models are yet to be achieved.
6. MICCAI (International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention)
MICCAI is a major international conference that focuses on the intersection of medical imaging, computer science, and robotics. Researchers and practitioners gather to discuss and present advances in image analysis, machine learning, and surgical planning, with the goal of enhancing medical interventions through computational techniques.
Location: Marrakesh, Morocco
Date: October 6-10, 2024
Entrance fee: starting at €25.
In 2024, the focus will be on pharma-meets-imaging where the role of imaging in pharmaceutical development will be highlighted over a dedicated half-day session and art-in-biomedical-imaging where participants will be asked to go beyond conventional concepts of medical imaging and image analysis and show their artistic talent.
7. AIMed - Global Summit
AIMed is a series of conferences and workshops that focus on the application of AI in medicine. It provides a platform for healthcare professionals, researchers, and technology experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in implementing AI solutions for improving patient care, diagnostics, and overall healthcare outcomes.
Location: to be announced
Date: to be announced
Entrance fee: to be announced
The event doesn’t just feature papers and reports but also awards several prizes in the field including AI Med Champion Award for exceptional talent in healthcare AI.
Conclusion
By bringing together experts from various disciplines, these and other medtech conferences foster innovation, facilitate exchange of ideas, and create opportunities for collaborations. From breakthroughs in medical imaging and computer-aided diagnosis to the integration of AI in healthcare informatics, the discussions and discoveries made at these events ripple across the technological and healthcare landscape. Participating in them may not only equip you with knowledge but also open new career paths.
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