Health Journalism Glossary

Deep learning

  • Health IT

A subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) where computer networks are able to learn from data that is unstructured. Deep learning happens when a computer system uses mathematical algorithms to analyze data independently to achieve results.

Deeper dive
Deep learning computer systems look for patterns in the data and learn to recognize these patterns to draw certain conclusions. Deep learning is being studied for practical health care applications, such as interpreting medical imaging scans to detect cancer. Also important are the ethical implications and potential downsides to using machines to conduct analysis traditionally done by humans. Deep learning is an exciting field right now, and holds enormous potential to alter health care diagnosis, treatment and workflows. A Health Journalism 2018 panel explored the implications of deep learning on health care.

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