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Cloud Computing In AI Healthcare

The insight gained through analyzing and interpreting large and complex data sets has driven progress in biomedical research and healthcare-related technology. Desktop computers, high-performance workstations, and computing systems are currently the basis of this task. (1) Recently, cloud computing, enabled by the broad adoption and increasing capabilities of the internet, has emerged as a powerful approach to solving some computational and data storage problems.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is defined as a network of distributed computing on a large scale that computes through highly available, dynamically configurable/reconfigurable, and scalable resources.  According to the definition offered by the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST), it is a self-service to a user which is provided on-demand; it can have access to a broad network where elasticity and scalability of resources are rapid; provides pooling of resources at a multi-tenant level; and services can be measured through a manageable, monitored, and controlled transparency system. (2) In simpler terms, it means using an interconnected grid of computers to share resources and using the internet as an interface while working on a pay-per-use model. 

Types of Cloud Computing

NIST classifies clouds into four types: public, private, community, and hybrid. (1) 

Public cloud: the infrastructure exists on the cloud provider’s premises and is managed by the cloud provider. Examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure.

Private cloud: the infrastructure can exist on or off the premises of the cloud provider but is managed by a private organization. 

Community cloud: a collaborative effort where infrastructure is shared between several organizations with standard security and compliance requirements.

Hybrid cloud: a composition of 2 or more distinct cloud infrastructures that remain unique entities but are bound together to enable the portability of data and software applications.

Cloud Computing Services

Software as a Service (SaaS) enables the consumer to use the cloud provider’s applications (e.g., Google Docs) running on a cloud provider’s infrastructure. Platform as a Service (PaaS) enables consumers to create or acquire applications and tools and to deploy them on the cloud provider’s infrastructure. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) allows consumers to provide processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources. (2) 

Cloud Computing In Healthcare

Cloud computing applications in the medical-related field include telemedicine/teleconsultation, medical imaging, guided therapeutics, public health assessment, patient self-management, hospital management, information systems, and secondary use of data.  

Challenges (1)

  • Availability of cloud-based health and medical care organizations.
  • Reliability of data and service.
  • Management of great amounts of medical data.
  • Flexibility and Scalability of the cloud-based healthcare system.

Cloud computing applications in the medical-related field include telemedicine/teleconsultation, medical imaging, guided therapeutics, public health assessment, patient self-management, hospital management, information systems, and secondary use of data.  

Challenges (1)

  • Availability of cloud-based health and medical care organizations.
  • Reliability of data and service.
  • Management of great amounts of medical data.
  • Flexibility and Scalability of the cloud-based healthcare system.

Perspectives

Internet of things (IoT) based frameworks such as Cloud computing are one of the disruptive technologies that need to be assessed and that will eventually be part of AI’s support. This tool will take advantage of countless applications, especially in real-time telemedicine (wearable devices and guided therapeutics).

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