By Jan De Backer

Prediction 1: “Data quality, diversity and informed consents will be more important than ever for the development of AI applications in healthcare.”

In 2024, the healthcare arena will confront a stark reality: the quality, diversity, and informed consents of data aren’t just checkboxes, they’re the bedrock of AI’s credibility and utility. We’re on the cusp of a reckoning where we’ll realize that data isn’t just King,…it’s the Kingdom. The recent lawsuit by the New York Times against OpenAI is a wake-up call that data from questionable sources without specific consent is a liability rather than an asset. Healthcare technology companies will need to strategically and carefully select the data sources they utilize for training their AI models.

We’re seeing a seismic shift where the quality of data determines an AI’s diagnosis precision and the diversity of that data influences its fairness and universality. A model trained on narrow, homogenous data is like performing surgery with a blindfold. It’s not just irresponsible; it’s dangerous. As for informed consent, it’s the ethical spine holding up the body of medical AI. Without it, we’re not just risking legal backlash; we’re compromising patient trust, the sacred currency of healthcare.

In 2024, expect healthcare AI to get a serious upgrade coming from reliable sources. These trusted groups will not just develop smarter algorithms, but wiser approaches to the data fueling them.

The New York Times’ lawsuit isn’t just about copyright; it’s a wider call for accountability and ethics in AI. The industry must listen, or risk being the next defendant in the court of public opinion or, worse, an actual court.

Prediction 2: “The exodus of medical staff from legacy healthcare systems will continue.”

As we march into 2024, the steady march of medical staff away from traditional healthcare settings continues. It’s not a revolt, but a migration, driven by a search for better work-life balance and meaningful work. This isn’t just a trend; it’s an opportunity. Tech companies are poised on the precipice of a new era, where they can offer these highly skilled individuals an environment where technology and data aren’t just tools, but catalysts for innovation and care.

This isn’t about replacing the old with the new, but about transformation. It’s about creating spaces where the expertise of medical professionals is amplified by technology, not overshadowed by it. The potential here is immense. Imagine healthcare that’s more personal, predictive, and powerful — all because the people at its heart are supported in ways traditional systems never could. This exodus could be the beginning of a healthcare renaissance, where technology and humanity converge to create better outcomes for all. In 2024, watch as the seeds of this new age are sown.

Prediction 3: “There will be major breakthroughs in in-silico studies for drug development advancing their position as regulatory tools to obtain approvals”

In 2024, we’re poised to witness a steady advance in the role of in-silico studies in drug development, signaling their growing influence as tools for regulatory approval. Technologies like Functional Respiratory Imaging (FRI) and others steadily gain ground. FRI, with its highly patient-specific digital twins, is making notable strides in inhaled drug development. However, it’s part of a broader movement.

Other platforms are emerging across various medical fields, each contributing to a more nuanced and accurate understanding of drug interactions and patient responses. These technologies, though diverse in their applications, share a common goal: to enhance the precision and reliability of drug development processes.

As 2024 unfolds, expect to see these in-silico studies embraced more widely, not always as replacements but as vital complements to traditional methods. With each step forward, they’re helping to shape a future of drug development that is not only more efficient but also more attuned to the complexities of individual patient care. This gradual, yet impactful, shift represents a thoughtful integration of innovation in the pursuit of better, safer medical treatments.

Prediction 4: “Slow and steady will continue to win the race.”

 In the game of healthcare transformation, 2024 reaffirms that slow and steady is poised to win the race, much like a chess player who meticulously plans each move, understanding the game’s depth and complexity. In the rush to revolutionize, we often overlook the power of evolution. This year, as the healthcare sector plants the seeds for profound change, anticipate a gradual unfurling rather than an overnight bloom. The traditional VC frenzy of pouring vast sums into startups to catalyze rapid market adoption and explosive growth is clearly not working as expected in healthcare. The mantra of ‘move fast and break things’, for very good reasons, does not apply to healthcare.

Instead, a more cautious, methodical approach is gaining traction. Building novel care delivery systems around technology is emerging as the more sustainable path. These aren’t the flashy, quick-fix solutions but grounded, resilient structures that promise long-term benefits and reliability. The fruits of these labors will take time to ripen, but the yield will be far richer.

In 2024, watch as the healthcare industry continues to evolve at a deliberate pace. This slow yet steady progress may not have the immediate wow factor, but it’s building a foundation for a future where innovation is both transformative and sustainable. In this race, the measured, thoughtful steps are the ones that will ultimately reshape the landscape.