Click by click, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is a tool reshaping how people interact with data and use it to effect change. Once the boogeyman of science fiction cautionary tales, AI is being explored and embraced across industries, with veterinary medicine being no exception.

Faculty and staff at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) are among those testing the capabilities—and limitations—of AI in pursuit of fulfilling the College’s overall mission of improving the health of animals, people, and the environment. 

Researchers are testing the technology’s capabilities when it comes to predicting cancer risk in dogs, analyzing and detecting health conditions in cattle, predicting the spread of disease across swine farms, and more. 

In each of these cases, researchers are driving the future of veterinary medicine and science forward into a new frontier. They’re exploring this technology’s ability to solve complex problems, automate tasks, and inform decision-making in a variety of settings, from clinic exam rooms to animal food production barns to laboratories.

These efforts focus on improving animal health but also lay the foundation for advancements in human health. Breakthroughs assisted by AI could lead to new processes and approaches for predicting, identifying, diagnosing, and treating medical conditions and diseases in animals that could eventually be translated to people. 

The potential uses of AI seem endless, but tech experts and users alike note that the results gathered and synthesized by this technology are not perfect. AI platforms scour the internet and collect information but aren’t vetting sources to ensure said information is factually correct. 

In the realm of research, bias also is a concern, one of several highlighted at “Research in an A.I. World: Balancing Innovation and Integrity,” a RIDE Seminar presented by the CVM Office of the Associate Dean of Research. While AI can be helpful, it’s still up to people to determine if the end results it produces are accurate, ethical, and actionable. 

At its core, AI is a tool that holds great power and potential. Though its true impact on the world has yet to be seen, it still needs a human touch to transform possibility into reality.

More stories in this series:

AI on the prize: 
CVM professor sees artificial intelligence as the future for healthier cows and more productive dairy farms

AI brings 30 years of data to the real world
Veterinarians have struggled to control an elusive and deadly swine virus for decades. Can AI change that?

Prediction and prevention:
Research leverages AI to identify dogs at higher risk for cancer