Artificial intelligence (AI) saved the life of Carmen, a Sanitas worker. Engrossed in daily activities, she put off a dermatologist appointment because of a blemish on her nose until the healthcare company she works for launched its smart dermatology monitoring service three years ago. At a certain point, Carmen uploaded an image of that skin lesion to the application, which the artificial intelligence analyzed in a few seconds, detecting its malignancy. The Sanitas worker received appropriate treatment immediately.
The speed and accuracy of this diagnosis is just one example of how technology is revolutionizing medical practices. Progress is possible thanks to economic investments. In Spain alone, according to the report, 2 billion euros have been allocated since 2020 Spanish Tech Ecosystem Report 2025prepared by Dealroom, global analyst of start-ups and technological ecosystems. The same company highlights European guidelines to promote AI in the healthcare sector. 65% of the investments currently raised in the European Union are dedicated to the development of digital solutions for their application in healthcare.
Another factor that is driving the rise of intelligent systems and will allow them to continue to grow is the massive collection of medical data. A extraordinary and unprecedented digital information infrastructure, as Jesús Jerónimo, director of Digital Healthcare of Sanitas and Bupa in Europe and Latin America, explains in the following audio.
Jesus Jeromedirector of Digital Health at Sanitas and Bupa in Europe and Latin America
Sanitas exemplifies the paradigm shift that data has brought to the healthcare industry. “Before the pandemic, data was only used to improve the business model. We didn’t think we would be able to take care of our customers with all the information we stored about their health,” explains Manuel Vázquez, director of the department. Data and innovation of Sanitas and Bupa in Europe and Latin America.
Five years later, the company has equipped itself with intelligent systems that help diagnose accurately, help professionals prevent diseases and facilitate the personalization of treatments. However, to understand how these medical goals were achieved, we must first understand how they are constructed. brains digital.
How artificial intelligence is created and powered
Artificial intelligence does not think on its own, it learns from the data collected and improves through human interaction. Here’s how you prepare to provide your services:
1
Data collection
Data collection
AI must learn from examples. Large volumes of data are collected: texts, images, sounds or numerical records.
2
Cleaning and preparation
Cleaning and preparation
The data is filtered, corrected and structured. Errors, duplicates or irrelevant information are eliminated so that the AI learns correctly.
3
Model training
Model training
The AI model analyzes the data and looks for patterns. Learn to recognize relationships and make predictions using mathematical algorithms.
4
Evaluation and adjustment
Evaluation and adjustment
The results are tested and compared with the correct answers. If it fails, the parameters are adjusted until its accuracy improves.
5
Implementation
Implementation
The model is integrated into real applications: virtual assistants, medical diagnoses, data analysis, among other uses.
6
Feedback and update
Feedback and update
Artificial intelligence learns with new data. The more it is used, the more its performance improves.
Source: International Business Machine (IBM)
In this way, artificial intelligence is present in all Sanitas’ automated healthcare processes: from requesting appointments, to calling for a consultation, through patient self-admission or obtaining electronic prescriptions or digital consultation of medical reports and tests in the application. MiSanitas. As Jesús Jerónimo points out: “The patient benefits from all this digitalisation, both on a healthcare and medical level, because if artificial intelligence has proven anything, it is that it allows us to take a further step forward in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases”.
The great current achievements of AI applied to health
Artificial intelligence enhances medical work, improving precision, speed and prevention capabilities for the benefit of patients.
Early detection of tumors with chest x-ray
Artificial intelligence algorithms analyze medical images to detect small signs of cancer before the human eye. This allows for earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments.
Breast cancer diagnosis support
Intelligent systems interpret mammograms and help radiologists identify abnormalities with high accuracy, reduce errors and improve early diagnosis.
Analysis of dermatological lesions
AI compares skin photographs with millions of cases to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, enabling rapid detection of melanoma and other conditions.
Faster and more accurate diagnosis
AI models process large volumes of clinical data in seconds, reducing diagnosis times and improving medical decision-making.
Improve preventive medicine
AI analyzes histories, health patterns and genomic studies to predict disease risks before they occur. This allows for early interventions and promotes personalized healthy habits.
Source: Sanitas
Sanitas explains that this technology is also applied retroactively, i.e. all radiological tests carried out before the implementation of AI will now be checked with this technology. “For example, chest x-rays where you can spot other lesions or signs of tumor that might go unnoticed by the human eye on that film,” explains Manuel Vázquez.
A constantly evolving technological market
As Sanitas’ Director of Data and Innovation explains, the healthcare company works with suppliers to acquire AI solutions with applications in the healthcare sector. “After the purchase we adapted them to our Sanitas infrastructure,” he summarizes. The technician talks about how his company adapts to the rapid evolution of the market for digital tools applied to health.
Manuel Vázquezdirector of the department Data and innovation of Sanitas and Bupa in Europe and Latin America
To identify the needs of patients, doctors and healthcare workers and subsequently integrate the corresponding digital solutions, Sanitas works as part of an active listening project. This is how it was created SanitaskA notary digital that assists during the consultation. Jesús Jerónimo, director of Digital Health, explains: “AI listens and transcribes the interaction between the patient and the doctor, preventing the latter from having to keep his eyes on the computer and write relevant questions. app It contributes to a more human interaction.” And he rejoices: “This type of technology is changing doctors’ lives.”
“This is just a current X-ray of what AI allows us to do in the field of health, but there is still a long way to go,” says Vázquez. “In consultation, it will become the doctor’s perfect co-pilot, and in other medical applications it will help fight serious diseases such as cancer more effectively,” he predicts.
At Sanitas, we continue to work to integrate artificial intelligence into other healthcare processes, as the director of Digital Health advances: “The idea is that in 2026 we will be able to apply the intelligent monitoring service that has proven to be so important in dermatology to other specialties such as endocrinology,” advances Jerónimo.
