Chapter 12 - Introducing blockchain technology in data storage to foster big data and artificial intelligence applications in healthcare systems

Abstract

In the current digital era, medical data has become a commodity of ever-increasing importance. Correspondingly, artificial intelligence (AI) applications are gaining prominence in healthcare systems, notably through the incorporation of machine learning and network modeling for procedures used in disease diagnosis and monitoring. This is particularly true in the case of medical imaging, a field in which digital revolution is facilitating better interpretation and comparison of medical images, paving the way for the implementation of AI applications. AI applications and machine learning approaches rely heavily on data used to fuel them, both in terms of quantity and quality. However, this data usually comes from multiple sources and sites, which raises issues about its integrity and reliability as well as security (particularly since we are dealing with medical data). These issues can be addressed by incorporating blockchain technology into the AI systems implemented in the healthcare environment. In this review, we will consider what blockchain technology has to offer in terms of handling patients’ medical data and how this can help overcome some of the challenges faced by AI applications in healthcare. We will center our attention on the field of medical imaging, particularly in relation to capsule endoscopy, where there has been considerable effort to develop AI applications that aid diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making.