I belong to a generation whose first encounter with computers happened through gaming in the 1980s. By the late ’80s, schools might have had a few computers where you could draw or play some educational games. Since then, technological development has been rapid, and with the arrival of the internet, it has accelerated even more. Decades later, being accustomed to the results of digitalization, it’s hard to look back and imagine how we managed to complete school and work tasks without computers and the opportunities they provide.
I initially studied business administration and earned a degree in business management, focusing my thesis on the electronic circulation of purchase invoices. This was in the early 2000s when electronic services were clearly becoming a part of everyday business life. Today, reading that old thesis feels like a bit of a joke, but it is indeed a piece of near-ancient history.
Later, I changed careers and studied to become a radiographer. It has now been just over ten years since I started my studies and nearly eight years since I graduated. Even in that short span of time—just ten years—the digitalization and technological advancements related to the radiography profession have been astounding. When I started working at my current job, we didn’t yet have a direct digital imaging system. Instead, X-ray images were taken on image plates, which were then transferred to a screen for viewing via a reader. During my studies, I did a computer tomography (CT) internship at a place that had a very advanced device for its time. Since that internship, the equipment at that location has been replaced multiple times—partly due to wear and tear from heavy use, but also because of technological advancements. That internship was only nine years ago. Back then, people talked about how, in the future, we might have MRI machines with seven Tesla magnets. It only took about a year before news came from the U.S. that such a device was being used for research.
In my field, the pace of digitalization is remarkable, and it’s an essential prerequisite for medical imaging to remain a vital part of healthcare. A doctor writes an imaging referral on the computer, the patient books an appointment either through an online booking system or by calling, and the booking is recorded in a browser-based scheduling program. When the patient arrives for their appointment, they check in via an automated machine connected to the network. However, the actual calling of the patient into the exam room is still done by the radiographer. The radiographer also instructs and positions the patient for the imaging process. Of course, device manufacturers have developed increasingly interesting solutions to make the radiographer’s job easier and to enhance patient safety. When the radiographer presses the capture button, advanced digitalization comes into play again. The patient’s X-ray image appears immediately on the screen, and after the exam, it is sent to PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), which is the image archive. The referring doctor reviews the radiologist’s report, which has likely been written in a different city altogether. I even know of an example where the radiology reports for an emergency department in Stockholm are prepared at night by radiologists in Australia, primarily due to a severe shortage of radiologists in Sweden.
Digitalization will continue to change life and work in many ways, and its impact will become even more apparent in daily life and work environments. The rapid development of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data analytics creates new opportunities but also presents challenges. Here are some examples of what digitalization is bringing and will continue to bring in the future. Homes are increasingly using technology that can be controlled through mobile devices, such as smart locks, smart lights, or even dishwashers and saunas that can be activated via smartphone. In health monitoring, digitalization has made significant strides, particularly with smartwatches. Many top athletes rely on the data from these devices to measure the effectiveness of their training. Whether that’s always beneficial in terms of results can be debated when compared to past methods. The use of online shopping has exploded, education can now be completed almost entirely online, and digital communication continues to evolve. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant digital leap in many workplaces. Suddenly, work, meetings, and training all moved online. People became familiar with platforms like Teams and Zoom, for better or worse. AI will likely challenge many workers in the future, competing for their jobs. Still, there are plenty of tasks that AI and automation cannot replace. The risks of digitalization include cybersecurity threats and the risk of increased inequality in accessing services and jobs.
GDPR
The 2016 data protection reform, better known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), brought significant changes and improvements to data protection practices in Europe. It came into effect in May 2018 and is one of the strictest data protection laws in the world. GDPR has had both positive and negative effects. Its main benefits include strengthening individual rights, improving data security, and harmonizing data protection rules across the EU. The negative aspects mainly relate to the costs for companies, complex regulatory requirements, and the risk of fines. However, GDPR has been an important step towards more transparent and responsible data processing, and its long-term effects are generally positive for both individuals and society.
In my personal life, the data protection reform doesn’t really have much of an impact. Since I work in a university hospital environment, I know colleagues and people whose research work has been significantly hindered by the GDPR. While data protection is important, it shouldn’t make people’s work difficult, and especially not hinder scientific research.
ChatGPT
I asked ChatGPT a few questions and found the answers surprisingly accurate and factual. I would say the quality of responses has improved significantly in a short period of time. Having used ChatGPT before, I’ve noticed that, for example, a year ago, the answers were of lower quality. For instance, ChatGPT doesn’t mention the sources it bases its answers on, so it’s important to have an understanding of what a good answer should look like. The Copilot AI application provides answers with sources, but even then, it’s essential to verify the accuracy and reliability of those sources. Critical thinking should always be kept in mind. AI can be a great tool, but as the saying goes, “a good servant, but a bad master.” It can and should be used as an aid in many things in the future, but it’s crucial to verify the information provided by AI and not blindly trust it.
AI, machine learning, data mining, and deep learning have been researched and developed for years. I believe the potential benefits of AI should definitely be harnessed in the future, especially in healthcare. However, it’s always good to remember that machines can make mistakes, so investing in your own expertise remains important, and you shouldn’t blindly trust the machine’s answers.
I asked, for example, whether heart failure can be seen on a chest X-ray. The answer was surprisingly comprehensive, and I felt that the information provided was accurate. I also asked whether a radiographer is allowed to interpret X-rays in Finland, to which the AI gave the correct answer with an explanation.
I inquired about the role of AI in medical imaging in the future. The AI provided a very reasonable answer, which largely aligned with my own thoughts on the matter: “The role of AI in medical imaging will likely grow significantly in the future. It can speed up diagnoses, improve accuracy, reduce patients’ exposure to radiation, and support doctors’ decision-making. However, AI will not function independently but as a tool that supports the work of radiologists and doctors. Challenges include integrating AI into daily clinical work, ethical issues, and ensuring patient safety.”
Self-assessment
It’s been valuable to stop and reflect on how digitalization has developed in such big leaps over a relatively short period of time. At the turn of the millennium, AI was mostly something that ordinary people associated with science fiction movies. Today, AI has become an increasingly common part of everyday life. Exploring the pros and cons of the GDPR through this task has opened my eyes to many things. Every issue has two sides, and which side is seen as positive depends on the perspective. What some may see as beneficial may not be good for researchers, for instance. And vice versa. I hadn’t used the ChatGPT service for a while, and I noticed how the quality of answers had improved compared to a year ago. However, when interacting with AI, it’s always important to apply critical thinking, and you can’t trust the answers blindly.
I commented these two blogs:
Mari Hepomäki https://blogi.savonia.fi/marinblogisivut/digi-society/
Laura Pietilä https://blogi.savonia.fi/laurapietil/digi-society/