Privacy in healthcare: AI with awareness of privacy and security issues
Technically, it is already possible to use artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the chances of survival of cancer patients. However, to be able to do so, the AI system must have access to the databases of various healthcare organisations. The databases in question contain highly personal information. TNO is currently developing a technological solution that will make it possible to safely analyse relevant data from multiple sources but without sharing sensitive information.
To treat cancer patients more effectively, it is essential to have a greater understanding of the factors that influence the impact of treatment and the chances of survival of cancer patients. In other words, patients and doctors alike stand to benefit from a solution that can support such understanding with figures derived from analysing data.
There are of course privacy issues at stake here. They first need to be addressed before AI algorithms actually gain access to databases that contain highly personal information.
Sharing data in healthcare, but without undermining privacy
TNO has found a way of analysing data from different healthcare organisations without actually bringing the data together, and without breaching patients’ privacy. Thanks to multi-party computation, it is possible for AI analyses to be carried out on specific data in various databases. The data is analysed only while still encrypted (unreadable). No personal information about individual patients is shared in the process, so their privacy remains safeguarded.
AI in learning mode
TNO has developed the method in collaboration with the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), and is now testing it. During this initial stage, only fictitious data is being used. But the focus is not just on tackling privacy issues.
TNO, IKNL, and other partners are working together with the aim of being able to use even more AI algorithms in a privacy-friendly manner, and without the need to have to wait too long for the outcomes of the calculations. The aim is to acquire fresh understanding, make better treatments possible, and to help reduce the impact of cancer.
These are the major themes for which the solution developed by TNO should be deployed in the near future, but without sensitive data being shared. It really is creating new opportunities. And in other fields, too, there is demand for the use of AI without sharing sensitive information.
Contact us
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Daniël Worm
Functie:Senior consultantDaniël Worm is senior consultant at the Applied Cryptography & Quantum Algorithms department, specialized in Privacy Enhancing Technologies like Secure Multi-Party Computation and Federated Learning.
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Standplaats:Den Haag - New Babylon
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Telefoon:+31 6 21 13 45 84
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Email:Email Daniël
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LinkedIn:Daniël on LinkedIn
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Babette Bakker
Functie:Business consultant-
Standplaats:Den Haag - New Babylon
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Telefoon:+31 6 21 13 72 31
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Email:Email Babette
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LinkedIn:Babette on LinkedIn
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Christopher Brewster
Functie:Senior scientistChristopher Brewster is a Senior Scientist in the Data Science group and Professor of the Application of Emerging Technologies in the Institute of Data Science, Maastricht University. His research has focussed on the application of Semantic Technologies, Open and Linked Data, interoperability architectures and Data Governance, mostly to the food and agriculture domains.
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Standplaats:Soesterberg
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Telefoon:+31 6 27 05 46 46
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Email:Email Christopher
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LinkedIn:Christopher on LinkedIn
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Frank Benders
Functie:Principal Systems Engineer / Architect-
Standplaats:Helmond
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Telefoon:+31 6 22 48 74 93
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Email:Email Frank
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Frans van Ette
Functie:Programma Directeur AI-
Standplaats:Den Haag - New Babylon
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Telefoon:+31 88 866 14 29
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Email:Email Frans
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Gu van Rhijn
Function not known-
Standplaats:Leiden - Sylviusweg
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Telefoon:+31 88 866 53 05
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Email:Email Gu
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Jack Verhoosel
Functie:Senior Consulting Scientist-
Standplaats:Soesterberg
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Telefoon:+31 6 51 89 46 32
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Email:Email Jack
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LinkedIn:Jack on LinkedIn
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Jan-Pieter Paardekooper
Function not known-
Standplaats:Helmond
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Telefoon:+31 88 866 73 15
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Email:Email Jan-Pieter
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Jok Tang
Functie:Research Manager Build EnvironmentHi, I'm Jok, working for the Data Science Department, specialized in (1) explainable and trustworthy AI, (2) hybrid AI where we combine data-driven and knowledge-driven models, and (3) learning from human linguistics.
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Standplaats:Den Haag - New Babylon
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Telefoon:+31 6 21 33 27 63
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Email:Email Jok
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LinkedIn:Jok on LinkedIn
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Jos Hegge
Function not known-
Standplaats:Eindhoven - High Tech Campus 25
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Telefoon:+3161112206
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Email:Email Jos
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LinkedIn:Jos on LinkedIn
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