Slip, Slop, Slap… AI? How Artificial Intelligence Helped Save My Life

A lot of people worry about artificial intelligence. They are concerned about how dangerous it is, how much damage it can do and how it difficult it is to manage. Not me.

In fact, AI saved my life.

An Aussie Life in the Sun

Let me back up a bit. Like many Australians-and people everywhere-I grew up embracing the sun. Occasionally, I would get a sunburn and sometimes be in pain for a few days waiting for the burn to subside. But by the time my two daughters came along, I had learned to cover up to protect my skin. These days you'll never see me outside without a shirt, hat, and more often than not, some sunscreen. And my girls are like that today. Although they've grown up outside and often at the beach, they never leave the house without first applying sunscreen. To them, sun safety is no joke.

Somewhere along the way, I learned that more Australians die from melanoma than in car accidents (in fact 1.3x more-and I see a lot of bad drivers in Sydney). And if it's not diagnosed early, melanoma can travel through your bloodstream and pop up elsewhere. Early detection is vital. That's why most Aussies get their skin checked every year. During those visits, I've had a lot burnt off so I go every six months.

Learn More Live in Sydney!

Adam Cogan will discuss how AI helped save his life Sept. 18 in Sydney at the CompTIA Community - ANZ regional group meeting. Don't miss this important session, or attend the Sept. 16 meeting in Auckland or Sept. 20 in Adelaide. Register now!

AI to the Rescue

Earlier this year, I was chatting with a colleague in our Sydney office who told me about a doctor who was using AI to help detect skin cancers. Being an AI enthusiast, I wanted to see how they were doing this. But I hesitated because I had only had my skin checked two months earlier and been given the all-clear. However I still wanted to get the AI experience before the NDC Sydney 2024 conference, so I decided to pay and do another check.

Thank goodness I did.

The doctor asked me to take off my shirt and, to the naked eye, nothing looked very suspicious. He took multiple photos of my skin with his mobile phone, which I saw appear on his PC.

There are two pieces of AI-powered magic that the doctor used:

• First, an intelligent dermatology software application that analyses photos and identifies problem areas. You see many circles around the candidates and red circles around the ones that need inspecting.
• Second, he uses a device that uses laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, which produces a number based on analysis of the data. Anything over 7 is bad news. The device uses a few nanosecond pulses of light to induce plasma on the skin without any tissue damage.

The device is 95% accurate and it confirmed what the software picked up in the photos: one was suspicious. I had what's called an Ugly Duckling.

The Diagnosis

On the AI's recommendation, the doctor took a biopsy. That evening, he called me and I answered by saying, "Am I dying Doc?" in a joking voice.

He replied in a serious tone "I need you to come back in first thing tomorrow, I've cleared my calendar."

I was there well before 9 a.m. ready to be cut open. The procedure was successful and I now have a pretty big scar, but more importantly there's no cancer in my bloodstream, which can be fatal!

As an IT professional, I consider this a lesson learned-never underestimate the power of technology. I strongly encourage MSPs and other tech companies to start learning more about the power of AI and other innovative technologies and to start thinking about how those technologies can be incorporated into new solutions that can literally save lives.

And if you suspect any skin cancer, go get it checked immediately. Ideally with a dermatologist that uses AI!

Adam Cogan is chief architect and Microsoft regional director at SSW, a Sydney, Australia-based solution provider.

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