The use of AI and insurance companies seems to be a trend in the global medical and health care landscape. Fujitsu announced that it has developed an AI system for hospitals with NVIDIA. Fujitsu has developed an AI system specifically for hospital operations, including electronic medical records and other medical data. This tool is software for “AI agents” that work autonomously on behalf of humans. Using this software, patients can converse with an on-screen AI avatar. Based on the conversation with the patient, the AI can handle tasks such as reception and medical interviews. By conversing with the on-screen avatar, patients can complete reception and medical interviews before their visit. This means that AI avatars can automate a series of pre-consultation tasks previously handled by doctors and nurses. AI can even classify patients based on their conversations and determine which department they should be seen at.
Technology for assessing a patient’s physical condition from conversations is also advancing. PST (Yokohama), which specializes in voice recognition technology, has begun collaborating with Tokio Marine to reduce employee turnover. PST possesses the technology to analyze mental and physical conditions and pathologies from everyday conversations. PST has collaborated with the University of Tokyo and other institutions to improve the accuracy of its voice recognition technology. This technology uses voice recordings, such as telephone calls, to identify employee stress levels. It has also accumulated analytical data on truck driver accident risk. Understanding stress levels enables early support for improving employee health. This means that roll call audio can be used to detect accident risks early and prevent accidents.
Numerous cases have been reported in which online care has improved patient outcomes compared to in-person medical care for lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. A 2018-2021 trial comparing AI doctors with conventional medical care demonstrated positive results. AI doctors reduced the rate of rehospitalization for heart failure patients by more than half within six months. In another example, a comprehensive insurance product is being developed that combines multiple functions with simple life insurance. Nippon Life Insurance (Nissay) will focus on nursing care and childcare services, Sumitomo Life on well-being, and Dai-ichi Life on digital business. In a sense, the concept of insurance for health and happiness from birth to death emerges. With the use of online medical care and insurance, we hope to be able to live a healthy and active life forever.
