An Artificial Intelligence that Predicts Death

Using artificial intelligence to predict when patients will die sounds like a science fiction movie plot, but researchers at Stanford University (USA) see this use of AI as a benign opportunity to help physicians and patients in this last stage.

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And many doctors often offer overly optimistic estimates of when their patients will die and delay the toughest or most difficult conversations. This human tendency, understandable on the other hand, can lead patients to receive unwanted, expensive and aggressive treatments in a hospital, instead of being allowed to die peacefully in relative comfort.

The alternative, which is being tested by a team at Stanford University, would use Artificial Intelligence to help doctors detect newly admitted patients who could benefit from palliative care options.

Previous studies have shown that most people would prefer to spend their last days at home if possible but the fact is that more than half of them end up dying in a hospital while receiving aggressive medical treatment, according to research cited by experts.