It’s hard to believe, but healthcare is about to experience another huge shift. In the next 10 years, there will be massive advances in technology and biotech that will change how we access and receive care. Here are five healthcare advances you can expect to become commonplace:

Technology Advances Driving Health Outcomes

1. The dramatic increase in the use of AI

Artificial Intelligence is advancing at a rapid pace, so it’s no surprise that it’s finding its way into healthcare. On the macro scale, AI’s deep learning algorithms are scanning millions of health records to uncover disease trends and the most effective treatments. These will inform hospital and government programs on the best investments they can make to improve public health.

On the personal side, AI will surpass doctors’ ability to detect many diseases. Everything from reading patient x-rays to diagnosing mental health conditions will be done more accurately by machines.

This doesn’t mean we’ll all be replaced by robots, but AI will help free up doctors’ time so they can focus on more complex cases and provide better care.

2. The rise of virtual reality

Virtual reality is already being used for everything from training new surgeons to providing therapy for patients with PTSD, phobias and chronic pain. As the technology improves, it will become a more common approach to care.

One big advance will be using virtual reality as a tool for remote surgery. This will enable surgeons to operate on patients in other parts of the country or even the world. The first successful remote surgery was performed in 2001, but the technology has come a long way since then.

3. Telemedicine will become the norm

Telemedicine is already becoming more popular. In the next decade, it will become commonplace. This is because it’s more convenient and often more affordable than traditional in-person care.

We saw its benefits during the Covid pandemic lockdowns when hospitals were overloaded and in-person visits became risky. Health systems learned basic care could easily be handled remotely via a video call. AI also will begin monitoring these calls to help the doctor gather information like respiration rate, eye dilation, skin conditions and more to help diagnosis.

With advances in technology, you also will be able to consult with specialists from anywhere in the world and receive a broader spectrum of care. All without ever leaving your home.

Biotech Advances will Bring Care to the Genetic Level

4. Genetic sequencing of patients

The use of cutting-edge technology such as genetic sequencing and machine-learning algorithms allows researchers to gain new insights into diseases and create innovative treatments that were not previously possible. For example, through advanced sequencing techniques, doctors can now better understand how and why certain individuals are more prone to certain diseases.

5. Personalized medicines

Armed with with this knowledge, doctors will tailor treatments to a patient’s unique genetic profile, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced side effects. The potential benefits of these targeted therapies are wide-ranging, from new treatment options for rare diseases to more effective cancer prevention strategies.

Additionally, there has been much progress made in developing new diagnostic tools that can help clinicians better identify risk factors and disease markers, allowing them to provide a more targeted approach to care.

Overall, it is clear that technology and biotech advancements will continue to drive dramatic improvements in the healthcare landscape in the years ahead. These advances will not only make healthcare more effective and efficient, but also more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Outsourcing software development has become a popular way for businesses to get their products or services to market quickly and at a lower cost. However, the Russian-Ukrainian war is having a major impact on the once-booming tech outsourcing industry of the region. Here are 5 ways the war is impacting software development outsourcing: 

Businesses are hesitant to outsource to Russia or Ukraine

With the Russia-Ukraine war raging, businesses are understandably hesitant to outsource any work to companies based in these countries. The political instability in the region makes it a risky place to do business, and there is no telling how the situation could escalate in the future. Many countries and business interests are also cutting business ties with Russia. This will unlikely change for the foreseeable future as Russian war atrocities mount and the present regime remains in power.

There is a shortage of workers in both countries as people flee conflict zones 

The conflict in Ukraine has led to a mass exodus of people from the country, with over 5 million people fleeing since the start of the war. This has resulted in a shortage of workers available to do software development work. It has also driven up wages for those who are still in the country and available to work.

Companies are understandably relocating their operations out of the region, which further limits available developer resources.

Quality of work may be impacted as developers are working under more stressful conditions 

The ongoing conflict in the region is no doubt having a negative impact on the mental health of workers in Ukraine and the region. This, in turn, could lead to a lower quality of work as developers are working under more stressful conditions. 

Project deadlines may be impacted as companies struggle to get work done in the midst of the chaos. These risks are pushing clients to look elsewhere for development services while the conflict ensues.

There is an increased demand for IT professionals in other countries, such as Poland 

The Russian-Ukrainian war is having a major impact on neighboring countries, as well as a corresponding increase in wages. Due to the risks associated with outsourcing to the region, businesses are increasingly looking to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, or to Asia, for resources. This has led to an increase in demand for IT professionals, which is showing no signs of decreasing in the short term.

As Outsourcing Options Tighten, Costs are Rising

Outsourcing software development services to the Ukraine and Russia was once a popular option for Western businesses looking to save on costs. However, with the current conflict between the two nations disrupting business activity in the region, many companies are now moving their operations elsewhere and building resiliency plans. 

The instability in eastern Europe is causing wages to rise and businesses are becoming more risk-averse, both of which are making it difficult for Ukrainian, as well other regional service providers to remain competitive. If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to outsourcing software development services, it’s time to consider India or China.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular with each passing day. Around the world car manufacturers are doubling down that the leading edge of the age of electric transportation is finally upon us. 

But, are EVs really just robots on wheels? And, are consumers ready to accept our physical limitations to fully hand over driving–and by extension so many other tasks–to robots?

Is Self-driving Technology Ready?

There’s an important question that must be answered about this technology. Are we ready to trust it yet? We’ve seen too many high-profile cases of self-driving cars getting into accidents, even if it wasn’t their fault. 

To reach mass adoption, and thus larger investment and more rapid advancement of this technology, it needs to be better out of the gate.

Image credit: NotATeslaApp.com

Public Acceptance is Half the Battle

Interestingly enough, we’ve all seen high-profile, self-driving car scenarios on YouTube where drivers were doing everything but paying attention to the road. Some were found in the back seat, others watching videos or having sex, still others were asleep as their virtual driver sped along. 

None of these point to people not trusting the AI robot driver taking over the wheel. If anything, it shows too much trust at this stage. But with 1.35 million people being killed in car accidents annually around the world, the argument that humans—not robots—are better behind the wheel is getting harder to justify.

Uncanny Valley Skews Perception & Fear

There’s a concept in robotics called the “uncanny valley.” It posits that as robots become more and more human-like in their appearance, people will have an increasingly negative reaction to them. The theory goes that we are hardwired for this reaction because it was beneficial for survival. If you couldn’t tell if something was friend or foe, your body automatically prepared for it to be harmful. 

There’s a reason people reacted favorably to Honda Motor Company’s ASIMO humanoid robot. It was short, a bit cuddly and, by painstaking design, had a non-threatening face. It became the most recognizable robot in the world for more than two decades.

Then there’s Boston Dynamics’ famous four-legged robot Spot. The thing is downright creepy, especially when you see it open doors, walk up stairs or even run across a field. It’s too animal-like for comfort and our mind reacts accordingly.

At What Point do Cars Become Robots?

Today’s cars are not necessarily threatening, at least to the driver. To a pedestrian in front of one speeding along, however, it’s another story.

This can apply to self-driving cars. We are used to seeing cars as inanimate tools. But, when they become animate and start making choices for us that we probably wouldn’t personally make as humans, that’s where robotics integration with humans will get interesting.

Will there be a day when sliding into the backseat of an AI-driven machine is as commonplace as catching an Uber or a Lyft is today? Some experts say yes, but it will take time. “People are going to have to get used to the idea that these things can drive better than we can,” said Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst for Navigant Research. “It’s going to be a long road.”

As EV mandates increase, more self-driving technology buried deep in our cars will be waiting to be switched on by manufacturers and governments. It’s clear that road is getting shorter by the day.