Fresh From Jeopardy, Artificial Intelligence Fights Infection in the ICU

International Business Machines (IBM) is using its super computer Watson, designed for competing against contestants on the popular game show Jeopardy, as model to build a new super computer Artemis to monitor neonatal intensive care units. Although machines in these ICU’s take data constantly, nurses only record information about the individual infants about once an hour. In other words, much data the machines collect to help the nurses make better decisions for what to do as far treating the babies. Artemis is designed to collect, analyze, and organize information gathered from the other machines that are running the incessant diagnostic test. Artemis will make decisions and present the most viable options for treatment as a preventative measure to fight risk of infection or other possible hazards. Artemis is set to go international within the next year.

Currently, I have five close friends that are getting married within the next year. One of which is already having a child this September. Though I do not know if I personally will have children or not, I would want them to have the best chance of survival. Artemis is greatly reducing the chance that infants will die while still in the hospital before coming home for the first time. Moreover, Artemis does not have to be restricted to the ICU for infants only. There is much potential to use the system in other areas as well. Machines can organize and keep track of data much better than humans which and by utilizing this technology we could greatly reduce the number of deaths in hospitals due to preventable causes such as infections.

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/watson-computer-fights-infection-icu