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Information Systems and Applied Computer Sciences

Chair of Explainable Machine Learning

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  8. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: How Researchers from Bamberg shape the Healthcare of Tomorrow
Fränkischer Tag

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: How Researchers from Bamberg shape the Healthcare of Tomorrow

In the Fränkischer Tag, Prof. Dr. Christian Ledig, head of the Chair of Explainable Machine Learning at the University of Bamberg, explains how artificial intelligence is already supporting medical professionals – from brain diagnostics to cancer detection – and why transparent, reliable AI systems are key to improving patient care.

Teaser

In a detailed report, the Fränkischer Tag portrays Prof. Dr. Christian Ledig and his research on artificial intelligence in medicine at the University of Bamberg. Ledig, one of the most highly cited scientists worldwide and a former researcher in both academia and industry, is developing AI methods that help physicians interpret complex medical data more accurately and efficiently. His work focuses on explainable machine learning: systems that not only provide predictions, but also indicate how confident they are and what evidence they rely on.

A major part of his research deals with medical imaging. By analysing scans such as MRI, CT or X-ray images, AI systems can detect very subtle changes in tissue that might escape the human eye. This allows early signs of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, brain injuries or cancer to be identified sooner, improving the chances for timely treatment. The same technology can also be used to monitor how a newborn’s brain develops and whether it follows a healthy trajectory.

Another application described in the article is the analysis of tissue samples. In cooperation with clinical partners, Ledig’s team is training AI models to examine digital biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract. These systems can highlight unusual patterns associated with inflammation, bacterial infections such as Helicobacter pylori, or potentially malignant changes, guiding pathologists toward areas that deserve closer inspection.

Ledig stresses that such systems are not designed to replace doctors, but to support them. AI should act as an additional layer of security in a demanding clinical environment; comparable to a second or third expert opinion. Medical professionals remain responsible for diagnosis and treatment, while the technology helps reduce oversight and speeds up decision-making.

The article also addresses the challenges of bringing AI into everyday healthcare. Large, high-quality datasets are essential for training reliable models, but strict data protection rules and complex hospital workflows often slow down progress. At the same time, new sources of data, such as health apps and wearable devices, offer promising opportunities to improve prevention and early detection on a broad scale.

Ultimately, the article makes clear that artificial intelligence is neither a magic solution nor a threat to human medicine. Its real value lies in making healthcare safer, more precise and more efficient; provided that the systems are transparent, carefully regulated and closely integrated into clinical practice.

Read the full article here

Fränkischer Tag: Medizin im Umbruch: Wie KI das Gesundheitswesen verändert