2/24/22 | Healthtech, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics | Written by Naomi Haile

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare with Dr. Ashleigh Kennedy

Listen now on Spotify | iTunes | Google Podcasts

Headshot imagine of Ashleigh Kennedy co-founded health-tech startup Neurovine AI for the Power of Why Podcast

"I was part of a research team and a Stanford professor tasked us, a group of students, to create an EEG headband. When you're thrown into a situation, and people expect you to define the answer, I think that's exhilarating. That was my first step into entrepreneurship, without really even knowing it." Dr. Ashleigh Kennedy

Touching the most complex organ in the human body, concussion treatment continues to evolve as experts learn more about the workings of our brain—to mitigate the debilitating, long-term consequences of mistreatment. 

That’s why Dr. Ashleigh Kennedy co-founded health-tech startup Neurovine AI: combining deep tech, machine learning and the art of neuroscience to empower concussion patients and optimize their recovery process.

Ashleigh joined us to share how she co-founded Neurovine from personal experience and professional need, why a values-based business is key to securing top talent, what it’ll take the health sector to adopt new tech, and how modern concussion treatment is helping patients do more than recover, to thrive.

This episode is for you if:

  • You’re building a health-tech startup 
  • You want to know the treatments that can help you, or someone you love, overcome their concussion 
  • You have concerns about the ethical implications of introducing AI to healthcare
  • You want to know what it’ll take for the health sector to embrace new technologies

Looking for something specific?

[3:30] Ashleigh’s sister suffered from a concussion at the 2006 Olympics

[3:59] Concussions: a badge of honour / a weakness to acknowledge

[5:20] Running track at California’s Stanford University

[8:25] Starting Neurovine AI with her husband, Dr. Matthew Kennedy

[10:45] What is a concussion, anyways? (+ the long-term risks of repeated concussive hits)

[14:40] Athletes are put at risk when they’re back on the field, but not at their peak performance

[17:49] How data from wearables can serve patients in their recovery 

[19:00] Neurovine’s mission

[22:00] The ethics of artificial intelligence and healthcare 

[23:05] Collaborating with industry and clinicians to build tech that is context-aware, precise, personalized, predictive and proactive

[24:20] We must train algorithms with inclusive data

[27:40] Here’s why it’s so hard to make these services accessible to all 

[28:00] Step 1: Incentivize clinicians to use new technologies

[30:59] The power of patient-driven healthcare

[33:50] Making brain health visible empowers patients and their caregivers

[35:58] Had a concussion? Here’s what to look out for.

[36:22] What concussions do to our mental health 

[37:18] Stay active (with clinical oversight), get your eyes checked and support your mental health 

[38:00] Meditation for concussion patients

This podcast is available in blog format. If reading is your thing:

Invest Ottawa and the Power of Why Podcast teamed up to produce this special series in celebration of International Women’s Week and the women leading in Ottawa.

Connect with Ashleigh

 

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We Are Here for All Women

When we use the term ‘women’, we are referring to all individuals who identify as women. This includes women of colour, transgender women and women who are gender non-conforming who have historically and systemically been excluded from mainstream women’s programming and opportunities. We are making a concerted effort to create a culture of belonging and to prioritize equity.

Naomi

About the Host

Naomi Haile

An intrapreneur, consultant, and interviewer.

Naomi Haile is curious about people, their paths and what drives them. In 2017, she launched the Power of Why Podcast. Her guests have taken the non-linear path in business, venture capital and other creative professions to share their story. Each episode explores people’s philosophy on life and work.

As we all navigate our lives and careers, Naomi hopes that everyone she connects with – guests and listeners – can shape products, companies, and communities of impact.

Naomi is a consultant at QuakeLab. She is starting graduate school at Columbia University.