Waterloo Engineering professor Dr. Alexander Wong was featured on a CBC News TV segment to discuss how AI could play a vital role in Canada’s rural healthcare system.
Wong, who holds the Canada Research Chair for Artificial Intelligence, said that AI will improve healthcare efficiencies across the country, but that rural Canadians will see the greatest impact from AI-driven technologies.
Medical facilities in rural areas typically have fewer available support staff to assist doctors, nurses and specialists.
"Resources are even more limited … that's where AI can come in and provide additional insights and information," Wong said.
In addition to managing administrative tasks such as filing, scheduling and organizing patients’ information and appointments, AI can examine x-rays, MRI scans, CT scans and other digital images to provide doctors and specialists with very accurate diagnoses.
Watch How AI could play a vital role in Canada's rural healthcare system for the full story.