Japan Rushing to Develop AI Tools to Aid Surgeons

Tokyo, June 10 (Jiji Press)–Moves are underway in Japan to develop artificial intelligence tools designed to help reduce burdens on surgeons. While the number of cancer patients in the country is projected to peak around 2040 amid an aging population, not enough people want to become surgeons due to the job’s challenging work environment. The government is responding to the crisis by supporting companies working to develop AI technology to support surgeons. The number of gastroenterological surgeons aged 65 or younger in Japan is expected to halve by 2043 from about 16,000 in 2023, according to the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery, highlighting the possibility of a future surgeon shortage. A shortage of younger surgeons would lead to difficulties passing down surgery techniques, which have been typically honed by younger doctors observing more experienced professionals. Moves have emerged to provide AI as a solution to such challenges. A surgery support software tool developed by Tokyo-based startup Direava analyzes images of organs and blood vessels using generative AI and sets out in writing for surgeons a step-by-step procedure and points requiring caution. The AI tool is being trained with data with surgeries conducted by experienced doctors in Japan and abroad. Direava received support from the industry ministry as the development requires substantial funding and large-scale computing power. “We hope to turn AI into an assistant who supports surgeons by reducing the stress of surgeries and patients’ complications as much as possible,” said Masashi Takeuchi, a surgeon who is founder and CEO of Direava. The company aims to offer the AI system as an education tool initially, starting as early as this year. In February, Direava conducted a trial involving medical students asking questions to the AI system while observing a gastric cancer surgery. The system had an accuracy rate of 85-90 pct when its responses were analyzed by specialists. The company plans to expand the number of cases handled by the system to improve the response accuracy. Utilizing AI in medical care, which is directly linked to people’s lives, faces high regulatory hurdles. While Japan’s health ministry is working on a screening system for medical devices utilizing AI, assessment standards for surgery support AI tools have not yet been established as there have been few examples of them. Numerous challenges remain to putting such tools into practical use, including safety verification and legislation to promote the technology. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]