AI System That Predicts Epileptic Seizures Unveiled by Researchers

Epilepsy is a deadly neurological disorder characterized by the excessive firing of neurons in the brain, which leads to seizures. Epileptic seizures affect the quality of life of patients, which is why the biotech industry moved towards creating preventive mechanisms before it occurs.

Preemptively Treating Seizures

Two researchers from the University of Louisiana, Hisham Daoud, and Magdy Bayoumi have unveiled an AI system that can detect epileptic seizures with an impressive level of accuracy.

A new AI model can accurately predict seizures ahead of time in patients with epilepsy. https://t.co/QKS3acvdEQ

— IEEE Spectrum (@IEEESpectrum) November 15, 2019

Currently, the technological standard for seizure detection is Nightwatch, a smart arm bracelet that detects the early signs of a developing seizure and immediately contacts emergency services before the problem escalated. Thanks to the application of heart rate and motion sensors, Nightwatch checks for uncharacteristically high heart rates, as well as the usual jolting that comes with seizures. While this smart arm bracelet is impressive, it’s not always accurate. For a disorder that affects over 40 million people worldwide, a certain level of accuracy is needed. With 99.6 percent accuracy at detecting a seizure about an hour before it develops, this system ensures that seizure fits are both discovered and managed in real-time. The new system is still a proof-of-concept that would require time before it can be adopted. It might take years to complete a finetuning but, one thing is for sure, this is a welcome development for epilepsy patients.

Growing Integration of AI

The future of artificial intelligence is undoubtedly bright, as entities from all over the world are looking to get in on it. Along with blockchain technology and machine learning, AI is seen as one of the concepts that could herald the next stage of both human and technological evolution. And, as adoption continues to increase, the value of the tech itself will surge as well. On Friday, Robert LoCascio, the founder and chief executive of software development company LivePerson, appeared in an edition of CNBC’s Mad Money with Jim Cramer, where he anticipates that 2020 would be a big year for AI. As LoCascio put it, AI has become a regular tool for everyday living, and as it transforms daily life, its integration into both how businesses operate and how they communicate with their customers is inevitable.

Artificial intelligence has become a driving force in everyday life, says LivePerson CEO https://t.co/8ZXcH8k9Ej

— CNBC (@CNBC) November 15, 2019

“You can buy shoes with AI on our platform. You can do airlines. You can do T-Mobile, change your subscription with T-Mobile. That’s the stuff in everyday life.” Of course, there are concerns AI could eliminate millions of jobs. Some see AI as the fourth stage of the industrial revolution (after steam power, electricity, and computing), and just like the previous three, it could have effects that would significantly affect job creation. An Oxford study claims that up to 47 percent of all U.S jobs are theoretically automatable, essentially putting the possible unemployment numbers due to automation at millions (at the very least). What do you think about these findings? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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