Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to become a key driver of medical device innovation in 2023, according to GlobalData, with the leading data and analytics company predicting that the use of AI within medical practices is likely to increase.

This prediction comes from Alexander Murdoch, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, who notes that AI is growing in several fields globally, with the market  expected to reach $93 billion in 2023, up 12% from 2022.

Alexandra Murdoch, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There are so many good uses for AI in the medical device industry. We know that it can be used for data management purposes, remote surgery, diagnostic and procedural assisting, clinical trials, and more. Now is the time to invest in these technologies and advance medical devices.”

AI has the capacity to improve medical device manufacturing efficiency and reduce risk through machine learning (ML). Computers can take in huge amounts of data and are able to learn errors along the way. AI can also be used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to provide an efficient experience for patients while also making room to treat more patients daily. Some AI platforms focus on automating and prioritizing patient safety, and these platforms can help hospitals better manage their operational costs through tracking wait times, as well as reducing inpatient and emergency department length of stay.

Murdoch adds: “With the help of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health has become incredibly popular over the last few years. While we saw a bit of a slowdown after 2020, digital health measures and telehealth have continued to grow, and are only gaining in popularity. As a result, AI will also become increasingly important to ensure demands can be met.”

Digital health and AI go hand in hand, and AI has the capacity to make digital health more accessible and easier for patients. As an example, AI in telehealth has allowed for products such as AI chatbots. These platforms can review a patient’s symptoms, and then suggest next steps (such as an in-person follow up).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been accelerating approvals of medical devices with AI in 2022, and this is expected to continue through 2023. As more AI based tools and devices are approved, providers can include AI in their every day practice.