We are in the midst of a digital healthcare evolution. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a promise, but a reality set to transform patient care. However, we need to balance new technologies with trust, safety and strong governance.
The potential applications of AI in healthcare are vast and promising. We are already seeing it take shape, with precision medicine tailoring treatment to individual needs, predictive analytics supporting early diagnoses and streamlined administration processes enhancing every aspect of our health system.
As Chief Data Officer at the Cancer Institute NSW, I’ve been involved in machine learning and AI-related fields for a few decades now, but I’ve never witnessed anything like this.
At the Cancer Institute NSW, we are moving into the AI space as part of our data strategy. We are increasingly using AI-driven strategies for the cleaning and linking of data in order to make it available more quickly to inform critical decision making. We are exploring applications that will transform our future reporting. We are also evaluating opportunities for AI technologies, such as machine reading to help meet future challenges in cancer screening, alongside the expert clinical workforce. Even the way we can disseminate cancer-related knowledge is evolving, thanks to AI.
In my role, I am privileged to be involved in exciting AI and machine learning initiatives, including the NSW Health AI Taskforce. What excites me most about this is the opportunity to collaborate with experts from various fields to explore what AI means for all aspects of healthcare.
I’m thrilled to share my expertise to investigate where we can innovate; what we can build; and how we can leverage technology at this transformative time.
There are four critical issues the Taskforce must consider:
- Scaling this technology while safeguarding privacy and security.
- Enhancing data sharing and utilisation.
- Actively supporting decision making processes to prioritise safety.
- Ensuring trust remains paramount as we engage all stakeholders on the journey.
My background is primarily technical: computer science, data science and mathematics. It’s fair to say I am a bit of a geek with a passion for building innovative solutions. Being on the Taskforce has been illuminating for me. It’s highlighted how careful we need to be when it comes to emerging technologies. It’s not enough just to throw the latest algorithm at the problem.
A balanced approach
With the potential applications of AI being so vast and promising, it is crucial to identify and reach consensus on a balanced approach to using the technology across healthcare.
This is particularly because the day-to-day experiences of our staff, throughout all areas of NSW Health, are being transformed. We need to think carefully about how our workforce can adapt and evolve in the face of disruption.
Exploring these complexities as part of the Taskforce is as reassuring as it is invigorating. We’ve seen how in other sectors AI-powered solutions have a habit of just appearing in the workplace. We are committed to ensure that everything we deploy undergoes rigorous validation and regulatory scrutiny to ensure efficacy and safety.
AI has the potential to be seamlessly integrated into clinical practice, empowering healthcare professionals to make timely, evidence-based decisions that improve patient outcomes and accelerate system insights. It’s crucial that we fuse the technology with a culture of innovation and collaboration, so we can harness the full potential of data and AI to shape a healthier future for the people of NSW.
About Jamie Gabriel
Jamie Gabriel is the Chief Data Officer at the Cancer Institute NSW. He has extensive experience managing large-scale data engineering and data science/AI projects, as well as data linkage projects in several sectors, including health and education. As part of his role at the Institute, Jamie ensures governance frameworks and standards uphold the highest quality and safety. He oversees all aspects of data ingestion, data quality and data security, and drives the Institute’s data strategy.