Wearable artificial intelligence (AI) technologies show promise in healthcare, with early applications demonstrating diverse benefits for patient safety. These systems go beyond traditional data collection, using advanced algorithms to provide real-time clinical guidance. From infectious disease monitoring to AI-powered surgical assistance, these technologies enable proactive, personalized care while addressing critical safety gaps. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of technical, operational, and ethical challenges.

Cognitive bias accounts for a significant portion of preventable errors in healthcare, contributing to significant patient morbidity and mortality each year. As large language models (LLMs) are introduced into healthcare and clinical decision-making, these systems are at risk of inheriting – and even amplifying – these existing biases. This article explores both the cognitive biases impacting LLM-assisted medicine and the countervailing strengths these technologies bring to addressing these limitations.

Introduction: Gait impairment occurs across the spectrum of traumatic brain injury (TBI); from mild (mTBI) to moderate (modTBI), to severe (sevTBI). Recent evidence suggests that objective gait assessment may be a surrogate marker for neurological impairment such as TBI. However, the most optimal method of objective gait assessment is still not well understood due to previous reliance on subjective assessment approaches. The purpose of this review was to examine objective assessment of gait impairments across the spectrum of TBI. Methods: PubMed, AMED, OVID and CINAHL databases were searched with a search strategy containing key search terms for TBI and gait. Original research articles reporting gait outcomes in adults with TBI (mTBI, modTBI, sevTBI) were included. Results: 156 citations were identified from the search, of these, 13 studies met the initial criteria and were included into the review. The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that gait is impaired in mTBI, modTBI and sevTBI (in acute and chronic stages), but methodological limitations were evident within all studies. Inertial measurement units were most used to assess gait, with single-task, dual-task and obstacle crossing conditions used. No studies examined gait across the full spectrum of TBI and all studies differed in their gait assessment protocols. Recommendations for future studies are provided. Conclusion: Gait was found to be impaired in TBI within the reviewed studies regardless of severity level (mTBI, modTBI, sevTBI), but methodological limitations of studies (transparency and reproducibility) limit clinical application. Further research is required to establish a standardised gait assessment procedure to fully determine gait impairment across the spectrum of TBI with comprehensive outcomes and consistent protocols.

Check for updates The critical role of biomarkers A key pillar of healthcare's journey towards precision medicine has been the proliferation and development of biomarkers to detect, monitor and manage disease. Over the last fifty years, healthcare has seen a rapid acceleration in the discovery of traditional biomarkers for a variety of conditions, including cancer, namely Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and in the 1980s, CA15-3 for breast cancer 1 (Fig. 1). Biomarkers remain a crucial source of data and insight for early detection and diagnosis, assessing the response of treatment and prognosis 1,2. However, with both the complexity and increasing demands for healthcare, research is increasingly exporting novel opportunities that augment and build upon traditional biomarker approaches 2,3 .

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the “digital athlete”.

Healthcare communication faces unprecedented challenges as the healthcare workforce is increasingly faced with increased administrative burdens and reduced time with patients. Conversational agents powered by generative AI may offer a potential solution by collecting information, answering questions, documenting encounters, and supporting clinical decision-making through fluid, contextual dialogue. However, realizing their potential requires rigorous validation, careful implementation, and a strong commitment to safety, equity, and preserving human-centered care.