The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Medicine

Abstract

Nuclear medicine has continuously evolved since its beginnings, constantly improving the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the latest revolutionizing chapters, promising significant advancements in diagnosis, prognosis, segmentation, image quality enhancement, and theranostics. Early AI applications in nuclear medicine focused on improving diagnostic accuracy, leveraging machine learning algorithms for disease classification and outcome prediction. Advances in deep learning, including convolutional and more recently transformer-based neural networks, have further enabled more precise diagnosis and image segmentation as well as low-dose imaging, and patient-specific dosimetry for personalized treatment. Generative AI, driven by large language models and diffusion techniques, is now allowing the process, interpretation, and generation of complex medical language and images. Despite these achievements, challenges such as data scarcity, heterogeneity, and ethical concerns remain barriers to clinical translation. Addressing these issues through interdisciplinary collaboration will pave the way for a broader adoption of AI in nuclear medicine, potentially enhancing patient care and optimizing diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes.