Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quietly become a powerful ally in the world of medicine. One area where it’s already making a meaningful difference is in gastroenterology, especially during colonoscopies. If you’re a patient covered by public health insurance, there’s a good chance that AI is already working behind the scenes during your screening.
You might not even notice it—but AI is there to help your doctor detect things that are easy to miss, like small polyps hiding in the colon. These polyps can sometimes turn into cancer over time, so spotting them early is incredibly important.
The system activates when the endoscope is being slowly withdrawn from the colon. As the camera moves, the AI software continuously analyzes the live video, and if it detects something suspicious, it sends an alert—instantly drawing the doctor’s attention to that exact spot.
AI-assisted technology is now a part of real clinical environments, supporting doctors during procedures like colonoscopy to improve accuracy and patient outcomes.
What makes this remarkable is that it’s not just a futuristic gimmick. Real clinical studies have shown that AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly increases the detection rate of adenomas and polyps. For example, research published in iGIE (Vol. 2, No. 3, September 2023) by Mohamed G. Shhata and colleagues confirms that AI systems can make a tangible difference in catching potential problems early.
And here’s the big picture: early detection means early removal. That leads to a measurable reduction in the long-term risk of developing colorectal cancer, one of the most common and preventable cancers worldwide.
For patients, this doesn’t change the experience of the procedure—but it does increase the quality of care. You’re not just relying on the eyes of a skilled doctor anymore. You’re also supported by a technology that never blinks, never gets tired, and sees patterns in ways we humans can’t.
AI is not replacing doctors. It’s enhancing their ability to protect your health.
As we move into an era where smart technology becomes part of standard medical practice, patients deserve to understand how it works—and how it benefits them. And in the case of colonoscopy, AI is already proving itself as a lifesaving tool, not just a fancy innovation.
