by GODSWILL ARINZE AGUBALU
Conversations around Artificial Intelligence (AI) are as evolving as the technology itself, though that hasn’t stopped criticisms of its possibilities from being overly focused on the negative. We hear stories about smart software picking up human biases or repeating old stereotypes. But at a major United Nations summit in Switzerland this week, a completely different story took centre stage
Forward-thinking scientists and doctors are turning the tables. They are proving that when AI is built with care, it can become one of the greatest tools we have ever had for protecting and improving women’s health.
For a very long time, modern medicine has had a blind spot. Because most historical clinical trials focused primarily on men, women have faced a much higher risk of being misdiagnosed.
AI is finally changing that dynamic.
Take heart disease, for instance. A woman suffering a heart attack often experiences completely different symptoms from a man, as doctors sometimes miss the warning signs. Today, new AI programs are being trained to read electrocardiograms (ECG heart tests) by looking specifically at female biology. These smart systems can spot tiny, subtle patterns in a woman’s heartbeat that a human doctor might completely miss, flagging heart risks years before a crisis happens.
The fight against breast cancer is seeing similar breakthroughs.
Advanced AI tools now act as a super-powered second pair of eyes for radiologists. By scanning mammograms, the software can pinpoint microscopic changes in breast tissue long before a physical lump forms. In recent medical trials, these AI assistants helped doctors spot early-stage cancers 20% faster, giving women a vital head start on life-saving treatment.
Further down the line, this technology is stepping in to make pregnancy safer, especially in places where doctors are few and far between.
In remote villages, local health workers are now using portable, AI-powered ultrasound probes connected straight to standard smartphones. The software guides the user through the scan in real time, automatically monitoring the baby’s growth and flagging potential complications. For an expectant mother living hours away from a city hospital, this pocket-sized technology brings expert care right to her doorstep.
Smart algorithms are also learning to predict preeclampsia, a sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure during pregnancy. With basic routine blood tests and medical histories, AI can warn midwives that a mother is at risk weeks before she shows any symptoms, allowing them to start preventative care early.
Of course, getting this right requires careful supervision. A recent UN report looked at over 130 countries and found that only 24 have official national guidelines to ensure AI is developed fairly. If we want these technologies to serve everyone, we need more women in the room building them. Currently, women make up just 30% of the world’s tech workforce.
When we actively bridge that gap, the results are game-changing.
Technology designed to understand everyone is a win for equality, as is a future with better medicine. An AI tool trained to look more closely at the unique ways women’s bodies function is one ready to contribute to a healthier, fairer world for all.