AI Used to Assess Readiness in Soldiers
AI benefits many sectors for its ability to track, predict, and analyze trends. Regarding military health, AI has the potential to monitor soldiers during their assessments and readiness procedures [1]. This is done using biometric data to test the effects of the selection process on candidates [1]. A baseline test is done to collect data that is then used to determine normal health conditions [1]. Next, remote monitoring is used to see if there are any health effects caused by the extensive selection process. Soldiers must rest during the selection process, and AI is an effective tool to measure how well soldiers are handling stress. Overall, artificial intelligence is useful in detecting concerning signs in soldiers and can promote their well-being.
Implementing AI in the Decision-Making Process
Military health often requires decisions to be made in a short amount of time with limited resources. Furthermore, juggling hospitals with limited space and hundreds of people who need to be seen can be stressful for field workers [2]. Therefore, the military is developing a technology that aids in making decisions during stressful situations [2]. This technology removes bias when it comes to decisions about who to save and reduces human error [2]. However, this technology is still controversial because it essentially puts someone’s life in the hands of AI. Regardless, it will be useful in making decisions when even experts are unsure of what to do [2]. When it comes to the battlefield, limited information and resources can create bias. AI will be able to reduce this bias by factoring in drug availability, supply, and the number of staff available during its decision-making process [2].
The overall purpose of this technology is to provide more information before a decision is made. This ensures that the decisions are made as effectively as possible and gives the potential for new solutions to exist. Overall, there will always be ethical questions about using AI to make decisions about life. However, a balance is needed to decide how much input AI will have during stressful situations. Different ethical situations also need to be factored in and algorithms will need to decide who gets prioritized [2]. Therefore, it’s important that this technology is used to aid human decisions rather than replace it due to these ethical concerns. Furthermore, AI can be useful in providing information that is not often available at the time the decision is made. Using AI to enhance human intelligence rather than replacing it can bridge the gap towards more informed and effective decisions.
VA Implements AI to Assist in Mental Health
AI can be a useful tool in detecting mental illnesses in soldiers and providing suicide prevention [3]. The VA currently has a goal to reduce the rates of veteran suicide by 20% in the next few years [3]. One of the latest technologies is the use of emotion AI, which is designed to provide real-time feedback based on voice and visual data [3]. This technology would be implemented in the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line for suicide prevention [3]. Oftentimes, workers have to determine if a caller is contemplating self-harm and if there are other risk factors that have to be assessed [3]. Workers must also manually scan records and look over prior calls to determine the best ways to help the caller [3]. This can be done with AI, which picks up on subtle information during stressful situations.
Overall, AI would work behind the senses to provide feedback during the call and also could be used to reduce bias and improper judgments [3]. There still needs to be a balance on the impact of AI in the decision-making process. More research is needed to truly remove the bias during critical situations. However, AI is still beneficial in providing more information to workers so they can make effective and accurate decisions in stressful situations. The overall goal of AI in military health is shifting towards effective decision-making, which can be hard for humans to make during stressful situations. Therefore, AI can be used to aid in the decision-making process and enhance human intelligence as needed.
HITS
HITS provides management services and collaborates with clinicians in the development of health informatics. We provide tools that promote safe, timely, patient-centered, and equitable care. Our agency culture and mission facilitate customer and human-centered design. Additionally, we tailor software and project management support products to meet our customer’s needs. HITS also focuses on transforming health care by analyzing integrated medical solutions and evaluating information systems. Our goal is to enhance individual and population health outcomes, improve patient care, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship. Finally, HITS expands the ability for individuals to safely and securely contribute relevant electronic health information and define preferences and values to their clinicians.
References
- https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/08/incoming-sergeant-major-army-sees-ai-powered-health-monitors-path-higher-readiness/389137/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/29/darpa-artificial-intelligence-battlefield-medical-decisions/
- https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2023/06/impact-of-emotion-ai-on-veteran-mental-healthcare/?readmore=1
