These past two weeks at ISM have been very insightful. Recently, I was working on my “Topic proposal” assignment, which led me to think, “What is unique about my project?” Since then, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what makes my project different from others in AI and skin cancer detection. There’s already a lot of research on using AI to identify skin cancer, and I am not the first person to tackle this challenge. But what truly sets my project apart is the focus on empowering the average consumer. I aim to develop a mobile application that goes beyond just AI-based diagnostics. While some apps use AI to give you a percentage-based assessment of whether a skin abnormality might be cancerous, I want to add features that make this tool more accessible and actionable for everyday users. One key feature that I plan to add is the ability for users to track changes in their skin over time. This is important because skin cancer, like many diseases, often develops gradually, and the ability to monitor abnormalities over a more extended period can provide valuable data. Another unique aspect is that the app will generate a comprehensive report that users can bring to their doctors. This report will include the images they’ve taken and AI-generated insights about how the abnormalities have changed. This makes it easier for healthcare professionals to assess the situation and provide a more accurate diagnosis based on the data. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this app will be free. I believe that everyone should have access to these powerful diagnostic tools, regardless of their financial situation. By making this app accessible to everyone, I hope to raise skin cancer awareness, which will help people lead healthier lives.
