If you have been following our 14-part series of articles, you will have learned how to use artificial intelligence for personal or professional purposes. You may have been able to improve your writing style and create images that you never thought possible. This concludes our direct introduction. From now on, you will surely be able to navigate this new world on your own. But there is still much to discover in this brave new world. Speaking of discovering: Why not try out our new read-aloud function? Simply click on READ MORE Click to start the audio stream. This episode lasts 10:34 minutes.

The medical world, for example, has undergone a revolutionary change – and artificial intelligence is at the heart of this transformation. This is much more than just a technical advance, as it opens up entirely new horizons in patient care. Let's take a look at how the achievement of AI us as patients directly and immediately benefits.

Skin screening: „The early bird catches the cancer“

The early detection of skin cancer is one of the great achievements of AI. Who isn't familiar with it? The annual skin screening at the dermatologist, where every conspicuous spot is examined closely. Until now, the dermatologist has decided immediately after a quick glance whether there could be a problem lurking there. Now AI comes into play.

Scenario 1: Monday morning, the sun is shining through the windows of the dermatologist's office. Mr. Müller, a 45-year-old father, sits nervously on the examination table. He has noticed a suspicious mole and wants to make sure that everything is okay. In the past, he would not only have had to wait a long time for an appointment, but also wait several weeks for the biopsy results. But today things are different.

The doctor enters the room with a friendly smile. She brings with her an inconspicuous device that at first glance looks like a simple camera. But this small device contains state-of-the-art AI technology. „Don't worry, Mr. Müller, it will only take a moment,“ says the doctor reassuringly as she points the device at the mole. Within seconds, the AI analyses the image, compares it with millions of stored skin images and detects anomalies that even the most trained human eye might overlook.

„Everything is fine, Mr. Müller,“ says the doctor after just a few moments. „It's just a harmless mole. But it's good that you came in for a check-up.“ Mr. Müller breathes a sigh of relief. Thanks to AI-driven early detection, he can be sure that there is no danger – and all within minutes instead of weeks.

AI assistance in practice: your digital health companion

Scenario 2: It is a rainy Tuesday morning. Mrs Schmidt enters her GP's surgery with a hint of tiredness in her eyes. For weeks, she has been plagued by headaches, listlessness and occasional nausea. In the past, this would have meant an odyssey of doctor's visits and numerous tests, often without quick results. But today, something is different.

In the corner of the consulting room stands an inconspicuous computer equipped with revolutionary software. Dr. Meier, the family doctor, greets Mrs. Schmidt warmly and takes note of her symptoms. As he speaks, he enters the information into the system. Within seconds, the AI assistant, affectionately known as „Dr AI“, begins its work. It analyses the data, compares it with thousands of similar cases and suggests possible diagnoses.

„Mrs Schmidt, you may have mild hypothyroidism,“ explains Dr Meier after reviewing the results of the AI analysis. „Let's do a few more tests to confirm this.“ Thanks to the fast and accurate support provided by Dr AI, targeted examinations can be initiated immediately without the need for lengthy and non-specific tests. The diagnosis is not only made faster, but also more accurately.

The AI assistant enables Dr. Meier to focus more on the personal conversation and Ms. Schmidt's individual needs. He calmly explains the possible causes and treatment options to her. The combination of human empathy and technical precision creates a new kind of patient care – efficient, personal and reliable.

Precise diagnoses: A glimpse into the future

Scenario 3: Imagine sitting in the waiting room of a modern doctor's surgery. The familiar hum of computers and the clicking of keyboards mingle with the muffled babble of patients and doctors. But something is different: Dr. Strauß's surgery has an atmosphere of the future. Here, they don't just work with stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs, but also with state-of-the-art AI technology.

Mrs Huber, an elderly lady, enters the consulting room with mild pain in her lower back. A few years ago, this would have meant a multitude of tests and referrals. Today, however, Dr Strauß uses an AI-based diagnostic solution that goes far beyond what traditional methods can offer.

While Mrs Huber describes her symptoms, Dr Strauß enters the information into a special diagnostic tool. The AI software analyses the data at lightning speed and compares it with countless anonymised patient records. Within seconds, possible diagnoses are suggested, prioritised according to probability.

„Mrs Huber, it could be a disc problem,“ explains Dr Strauß. „However, the AI has also considered a rarer cause that we should not overlook. Let's do an MRI to be sure.“ Thanks to the AI's precise suggestions, Dr Strauß can continue to investigate in a targeted manner, which significantly reduces the time it takes to reach the correct diagnosis and minimises the burden on the patient.

But AI's precise diagnoses don't stop at the initial analysis. It continuously integrates new data from current examinations, laboratory results and even genetic analyses. This means that the diagnosis is continuously refined over the course of treatment. This enables tailor-made therapy that is tailored to the patient's needs and state of health.

For Mrs Huber, this is a huge relief. Not only does she quickly receive clarity about the cause of her symptoms, but she also receives the best possible treatment. The collaboration between doctors and AI creates a new dimension in medical care – safe, efficient and highly precise. But one thing must be clear: the final decision on therapies or operations always rests with the doctor. And that must remain the case.

Personalised therapy: tailor-made medicine

At Dr. Strauß's modern medical practice, the focus is not only on rapid diagnosis, but also on tailored treatment. The era of one-size-fits-all medicine, where every patient receives the same standard therapy, is a thing of the past. Thanks to AI-supported technologies, every patient can now receive individually tailored treatment – medicine made to measure.

Ms Huber, the patient with back pain, is experiencing this revolution first-hand. Following a precise diagnosis based on AI-supported analysis, the next step is to find the best possible treatment. The AI takes a variety of factors into account, including age, gender, genetic disposition, previous medical history and current lifestyle habits.

While Dr. Strauß enters the information into the system, the AI creates a comprehensive patient profile. It compares millions of data points from medical research and patient databases and suggests a personalised treatment plan. In Ms. Huber's case, this means a combination of physiotherapy, special exercises to strengthen her back muscles, and medication tailored precisely to her needs.

But the personalised treatment does not stop there. AI remains an important companion throughout the entire therapy. If, for example, Ms Huber does not respond to a medication as expected, AI suggests alternatives based on similar patient profiles. For Ms Huber, this individualised care means a significant improvement in her quality of life.

Telemedicine: The doctor's visit of the future

Imagine being able to receive medical assistance without leaving your home. This is no longer a distant dream, but already a reality thanks to telemedicine and AI-supported technologies. This development offers numerous advantages, especially in rural areas or for people with limited mobility. We can look back on our experiences with COVID-19.

Scenario 4: Mrs Wussow lives in a small village, far away from the nearest town. In the past, every visit to the doctor meant a long journey, which was particularly tiring for patients who are no longer very mobile. But now Mrs Wussow uses telemedicine – and her doctor's appointments have changed dramatically.

With a click on her smartphone or tablet, Ms Wussow can agree to a video conference with her GP. Dr Becker, her GP, has simultaneous access to her electronic patient file, which is continuously updated by AI. This AI analyses Ms Wussow's health data, recognises patterns and provides Dr Becker with valuable information before the consultation begins. During the consultation, Dr Becker can ask his patient detailed questions. The AI supports him by displaying relevant information and previous findings.

But telemedicine has even more potential – although in everyday practice, this is often still a long way off. After the virtual doctor's visit, AI could continuously monitor Ms Wussow and immediately raise the alarm if anything unusual were to occur. If Ms Wussow's blood sugar levels were to suddenly rise or her blood pressure were to reach worrying levels, Dr Becker would be notified immediately and could take appropriate action.

One particularly fascinating aspect of telemedicine is telerobotic surgery. Imagine a patient needs a complicated operation, but the best specialist for this procedure is in the USA, while the patient is in Hamburg. Thanks to modern technology, this is no longer a problem. From his location 9,000 km away in Seattle, surgeon Dr Miller controls robotic arms that perform the operation precisely and safely in Hamburg. This remote surgery enables highly specialised surgeons to make their expertise available worldwide without having to be physically present.

Telemedicine is thus revolutionising access to optimal healthcare and making medical assistance more accessible and convenient for many people. This is just one example of how artificial intelligence is helping an entire industry to open up completely new possibilities – for the benefit of humanity.