A literature review of artificial intelligence (AI) for medical image segmentation : from AI and explainable AI to trustworthy AI

Abstract

Background and Objective: Medical image segmentation is a vital aspect of medical image processing, allowing healthcare professionals to conduct precise and comprehensive lesion analyses. Traditional segmentation methods are often labor intensive and influenced by the subjectivity of individual physicians. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed this field by reducing the workload of physicians, and improving the accuracy and efficiency of disease diagnosis. However, conventional AI techniques are not without challenges. Issues such as inexplicability, uncontrollable decision-making processes, and unpredictability can lead to confusion and uncertainty in clinical decision-making. This review explores the evolution of AI in medical image segmentation, focusing on the development and impact of explainable AI (XAI) and trustworthy AI (TAI). Methods: This review synthesizes existing literature on traditional segmentation methods, AI-based approaches, and the transition from conventional AI to XAI and TAI. The review highlights the key principles and advancements in XAI that aim to address the shortcomings of conventional AI by enhancing transparency and interpretability. It further examines how TAI builds on XAI to improve the reliability, safety, and accountability of AI systems in medical image segmentation. Key Content and Findings: XAI has emerged as a solution to the limitations of conventional AI by providing greater transparency and interpretability, allowing healthcare professionals to better understand and trust AI-driven decisions. However, XAI itself faces challenges, including those related to safety, robustness, and value alignment. TAI has been developed to overcome these challenges, offering a more reliable framework for AI applications in medical image segmentation. By integrating the principles of XAI with enhanced safety and dependability, TAI addresses the critical need for TAI systems in clinical settings. Conclusions: TAI presents a promising future for medical image segmentation, combining the benefits of AI with improved reliability and safety. Thus, TAI is a more viable and dependable option for healthcare applications, and could ultimately lead to better clinical outcomes for patients, and advance the field of medical image processing.