Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and healthcare: the tripod of future—a narrative review

Abstract

Abstract The fusion of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) marks a paradigm shift in healthcare, addressing critical challenges in securing electronic health records (EHRs), ensuring data privacy, and facilitating secure data transmission. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adoption of blockchain and AI within healthcare, spotlighting their role in fortifying security and transparency leading the trajectory for a promising future in the realm of healthcare. Our study, employing the PRISMA model, scrutinized 402 relevant articles, employing a narrative analysis to explore the fusion of blockchain and AI in healthcare. The review includes the architecture of AI and blockchain, examines AI applications with and without blockchain integration, and elucidates the interdependency between AI and blockchain. The major findings include: (i) it protects data transfer, and digital records, and provides security; (ii) enhances EHR security and COVID-19 data transmission, thereby bolstering healthcare efficiency and reliability through precise assessment metrics; (iii) addresses challenges like data security, privacy, and decentralized computing, forming a robust tripod. The fusion of blockchain and AI revolutionize healthcare by securing EHRs, and enhancing privacy, and security. Private blockchain adoption reflects the sector’s commitment to data security, leading to improved efficiency and accessibility. This convergence promises enhanced disease identification, response, and overall healthcare efficacy, and addresses key sector challenges. Further exploration of advanced AI features integrated with blockchain promises to enhance outcomes, shaping the future of global healthcare delivery with guaranteed data security, privacy, and innovation.