One of the world’s most prominent hospitals is testing how AI can revolutionize health care

Rochester, Minn., One of the world's most prominent hospitals, the Mayo Clinic, is testing how artificial intelligence can transform health care. Internal medicine physician Dr. Alexander Ryu, who works at the institution, described how the integration of AI into daily practice is streamlining his workflow. Previously, preparing for a patient consultation required sorting through dozens, sometimes hundreds, of pages of medical records. Many patients bring these records from external health systems, often disorganized and difficult to navigate. Now, a new AI tool named Record Time is assisting clinicians in parsing through these records more efficiently. It generates relevant patient summaries, organizes documents chronologically, and enhances searchability. Dr. Ryu explained that Record Time can save him anywhere from five to 30 minutes of preparation per visit, depending on the complexity of the case. This time saved allows him to focus more on direct patient interaction, which he considers crucial for quality care. Additionally, the tool ensures that critical details, potentially hidden within lengthy files, are not overlooked. These insights can significantly influence treatment and diagnostic decisions. The Mayo Clinic receives tens of millions of pages of medical records annually, necessitating innovative solutions to extract meaningful information swiftly. Dr. Ryu, who also holds the position of vice chair of innovation for the Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine, emphasized the need for such advancements. He noted that health-related applications represent one of the most promising frontiers for AI innovation. Major tech companies like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic have introduced health-focused chatbots, and millions of users are increasingly relying on AI for medical inquiries. While Silicon Valley leaders often make ambitious claims about AI curing diseases, many experts argue these assertions are more promotional than practical, given the industry's broader focus on consumer and business applications. Beyond Record Time, the Mayo Clinic is deploying approximately 150 AI models within its facilities. This initiative involves partnerships with firms such as Microsoft and Scale AI, leveraging the hospital’s extensive patient records and research data to create advanced AI tools. Jason Droege, CEO of Scale AI, highlighted the utility of AI in health care, noting its ability to identify patterns in vast datasets. He explained that AI can assist specialists in performing repetitive tasks, thereby accelerating the diagnostic process and enabling quicker, more accurate treatments. Despite the benefits, the use of AI in healthcare raises significant ethical and regulatory concerns. Privacy and data security remain central issues, particularly in light of recent legal actions against the Mayo Clinic. Former Director of Research Operations Traci Tamiko Eto filed a lawsuit earlier this month, alleging retaliation for voicing concerns regarding privacy and oversight related to certain AI systems. The hospital has not commented directly on the ongoing litigation but reiterated its commitment to responsible AI development. In a statement, Mayo Clinic spokesperson Andrea Kalmanovitz affirmed that the hospital adheres to all applicable laws and regulations, emphasizing its dedication to maintaining patient trust and ensuring privacy protections. Dr. Matthew Callstrom, a radiologist and medical director of Mayo Clinic’s generative AI program, expressed confidence in AI’s potential since 2016. During that time, he observed how AI could aid radiologists in detecting early signs of cancer in imaging studies. Currently, the clinic is conducting a clinical trial to assess whether AI can identify patients at risk of or already suffering from early-stage pancreatic cancer. If successful, this application could enable detection several years before conventional methods typically diagnose the condition.