The purpose of a recent article published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology was to present an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and new developments relevant to dermatology. The authors discussed that AI has emerged as a major breakthrough in computer science research; however, its use in dermatology is comparatively new and limited. Adequate knowledge and understanding of the concepts of AI is essential for dermatologists as it may have future applications in the recording and diagnosis ofskin conditions, owing to their abundant clinical and dermatoscopic findings and images. 

This article reported on numerous studies focusing on the utilization of AI in skin disorders – such as skin cancer, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and onychomycosis. The present review examined the current applications and future potentialof AI. The challenges of AI in the field of dermatology are:

• Image data of different skin diseases are insufficient and of poor qualityand the degree of information sharing between sources is low.
• A multidisciplinary approach in computer science, biomedicaland medical sciences is essential.
• Dermatological AI can only recognize a few specific skin diseases, whereas the dermatological condition is extremely varied.
• AI diagnosis also involves legal issues, ethical concerns, as well as data privacy policies, which need to be adhered to.
• Diagnosis and classification of skin diseases require a subjective approach and integration of clinical data. A drawback of AI is it may not consider the patient’s characteristics-for example, patient’s and family history, for the diagnosis.

The article advocated that AI can aid as an adjunct to clinical practice in the future. Infact,comprehensive knowledge of AI concepts will help practicing dermatologists to deliver better skin care.

Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2020 Sep-Oct; 65(5): 352–357.doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_418_20