Role of Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Radiology

Advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and in computing in the past decade, have made possible artificial neural networks that can “learn” to perform tasks previously reserved exclusively for humans. AI-enabled applications are already being deployed in radiology to assist in the detection and classification of diseases. The emergency department (ED), where timely and accurate diagnosis is critical, is an area of great interest for application of AI-driven solutions. AI algorithms offer great promise for addressing the challenges posed by increasing imaging volumes, increasing case complexity, and the need for rapid turnaround of results. Many products have already received US FDA clearance for clinical use. This chapter provides an introduction to key AI concepts, explores applications of AI in emergency radiology, and considers implications that AI will have for the field.