How Technological Innovation Reshapes the Paradigm of Disease Prediction and Treatment

Abstract

This paper adopts a macro perspective spanning the philosophy of technology and the history of medicine to systematically argue that the technological innovation cluster—comprising big data, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology—has disrupted the traditional medical paradigm. We first deconstruct the old paradigm characterized by “reactive diagnosis and treatment, standardized protocols, and physician-centered care” along with its inherent limitations. We then delve into the synergistic disruptive mechanisms generated by the technology cluster through three dimensions: “data-driven cognition,” “intelligent algorithms reshaping decisionmaking,” and “biotechnology redefining interventions.” This reveals three defining features of the new paradigm: At the practice level, it enables precision prediction and dynamic intervention based on individualized data; At the agency level, it establishes a collaborative relationship among physicians, AI, and patients. The study also highlights the new paradigm’s ethical challenges, including data privacy and algorithmic fairness, providing crucial insights for understanding contemporary medical transformation and planning future healthcare systems.