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U.S. lawmakers have raised questions about Google's access to
the health records of tens of millions of Americans. Ascension,
which operates 150 hospitals and more than 50 senior living
facilities across the United States, is Google's biggest cloud
computing customer in healthcare.
"When we work with hospitals, the data belongs to the
hospitals," Pichai told a conference panel at the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
"But look at the potential here. Cancer if often missed and the
difference in outcome is profound. In lung cancer, for example,
five experts agree this way and five agree the other way. We
know we can use artificial intelligence to make it better,"
Pichai added.
Google has spent several years developing artificial
intelligence to automatically analyze MRI scans and other
patient data to identify diseases and make predictions aimed at
improving outcomes and reducing cost.
The U.S. lawmakers asked the company in November to provide
information about other health systems that provide information
to Google, whether Ascension clients will be allowed to opt out
of the project, and whether the data be used for advertising.
Pichai said there was already strong privacy protecting
regulations in place that provide a framework for Google to
operate.
Google clinched a deal in November to acquire Fitbit Inc for
$2.1 billion, aiming to enter the wearables segment and invest
in digital health. The acquisition is expected to be scrutinized
closely by regulators before it is allowed to close.
(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in Davos, Switzerland; Editing by
Alex Richardson)
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