title: Artificial intelligence in medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science capable of analysing complex medical data. Their potential to exploit meaningful relationship with in a data set can be used in the diagnosis, treatment and predicting outcome in many clinical scenarios.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline and internet searches were carried out using the keywords 'artificial intelligence' and 'neural networks (computer)'. Further references were obtained by cross-referencing from key articles. An overview of different artificial intelligent techniques is presented in this paper along with the review of important clinical applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proficiency of artificial intelligent techniques has been explored in almost every field of medicine. Artificial neural network was the most commonly used analytical tool whilst other artificial intelligent techniques such as fuzzy expert systems, evolutionary computation and hybrid intelligent systems have all been used in different clinical settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Artificial intelligence techniques have the potential to be applied in almost every field of medicine. There is need for further clinical trials which are appropriately designed before these emergent techniques find application in the real clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: The University of Hull Academic Surgical Unit, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kambhampati
authors.forename: J R T
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Monson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Drew
mesh_terms: D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D011379:Prognosis; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*