Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Military Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being incorporated into many facets of medicine and surgery. This includes novel approaches utilizing machine learning (ML) in the management of injury, hemodynamic shock, and a range of military/battlefield/triage applications. In general, military-based medical systems are functionally similar to civilian equivalents domestically, especially when it comes to peacetime operations. Although there are also some similarities between military medicine and surgery during active engagements and high-volume penetrating trauma centers at surge capacity, the intensity and severity of injury are almost universally greater in the military-conflict setting. Given significant developments in the area of AI/ML in general, and in the prehospital setting in particular, benefits derived from existing AI/ML research and implementations should be translatable to the military setting (and vice versa). This chapter will address various niche medical and surgical needs applicable to both peacetime and active combat scenarios within the general sphere of military medicine and surgery. We will focus on various innovative and creative solutions and implementations utilizing a scoping literature review approach to evaluate the current state of AI/ML technology applications relevant to battlefield and battlefield-adjacent medical scenarios. We will also attempt to identify research gaps and possible avenues of moving forward.