Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the medical field, particularly in drug discovery. It’s reducing the time and cost of finding new drugs, traditionally a process that takes years and billions of dollars. AI’s potential lies in its ability to sift through vast amounts of data and spot patterns that humans can’t, making it invaluable in identifying potential drug candidates.
Insilico Medicine, a biotech firm, used AI to design a potential new drug in just 46 days, a process that usually takes five years. Similarly, DeepMind, a subsidiary of Alphabet, used its AI to predict protein shapes, a critical factor in drug discovery, with unprecedented accuracy. These advancements could lead to faster, cheaper drug development and more personalised medicines.
Yet, there are challenges. AI’s predictions can be wrong, and the technology is not yet sophisticated enough to fully understand the complexity of human biology. There’s also a risk of over-reliance on AI, as it could stifle innovation and lead to a lack of diversity in drug discovery.
Despite these hurdles, AI’s potential in drug discovery is undeniable. With continued development and careful management, AI could transform the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare as a whole.
Go to source article: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/23827785/artifical-intelligence-ai-drug-discovery-medicine-pharmaceutical