"Research on AI-Based Diagnostic and Treatment Support Algorithms" KT Collaborates with Inha University Hospital for Joint Research

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] KT has partnered with Inha University Hospital to collaborate on joint research for diagnostic and treatment support algorithms using medical artificial intelligence (AI). Medical AI is a technology that converts hospital diagnostic images and clinical data into big data and analyzes them to create new diagnostic solutions based on deep learning.

On the 29th, KT announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Inha University Hospital for joint research on AI-based diagnostic and treatment support algorithms.

KT will collaborate with Inha University Hospital to promote ▲ research projects that support medical staff decision-making and improve work efficiency ▲ joint development of AI solutions that can reduce patient discomfort and medical expenses. Inha University Hospital will actively support the joint research by identifying AI projects in diagnostic and treatment areas, providing medical data for AI algorithm development, and verifying results and performance. The first joint research project selected is the thyroid nodule and cancer diagnostic support field, led by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (Research Director Professor Ji-won Kim) and the Department of Radiology (Research Director Professor Ha-young Lee).

Thyroid nodules are common conditions occurring in 19% to 68% of healthy individuals, and thyroid cancer ranks second in incidence among female cancers. Ultrasound imaging and fine-needle aspiration biopsy are used for diagnosis. With increased medical accessibility and the generalization of health checkups, diagnoses of thyroid nodules and cancer are rapidly increasing, which not only raises patient diagnostic costs but also poses complications such as bleeding or pain from fine-needle biopsies. Since only about 5% of thyroid nodules are cancerous, it is important to select thyroid nodules requiring fine-needle aspiration biopsy through accurate ultrasound image diagnosis.

Despite the increase in diagnosis and incidence, the mortality rate of thyroid cancer has not changed significantly, and there is controversy over excessive thyroid surgeries due to rising medical costs. Therefore, joint research on medical AI that can provide standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines for thyroid nodules is expected to have very important significance.

The AI diagnostic support solution aims to assist medical staff in image interpretation and decision-making to further improve the accuracy of thyroid cancer diagnosis and enhance usability as a means to increase work efficiency in the future. It also plans to be developed to serve as a primary screening tool in regions with weak medical infrastructure.

Last month, KT signed a joint research cooperation agreement with the Korean Dysphagia Society to promote research on a swallowing disorder normal/airway aspiration screening model using ‘Sound AI,’ patient condition-customized swallowing food recommendations, and rehabilitation exercise content. In June, KT also signed an MOU with ‘NeuroSigma,’ which received the first FDA approval for an electronic drug for ADHD treatment, to promote domestic and international business of electronic drugs. Along with developing medical AI solutions, KT is actively advancing new digital biohealth businesses.

Lee Haesung, Executive Director of KT’s Future Value Promotion Office Digital & Biohealth P-TF, said, “Through this joint research with Inha University Hospital, we will continue to jointly discover and develop medical AI solutions that can help the health and lives of the public. We will do our best to ensure that KT’s AI and big data technologies can be utilized as core technologies in future medical businesses.”

Donhaeng Lee, Director of the Institute of Biomedical Research at Inha University Hospital, also said, “Through the MOU with KT, we aim to activate joint research using medical big data, improve medical staff work efficiency, and contribute to providing optimal medical services to patients visiting the hospital.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.