Big Data, AI and Machine Learning for Precision Psychiatry: How are they changing the clinical practice?

Currently, we are witnessing an increasing interest in predictive models and personalized diagnosis and treatment choice in psychiatric research. Against this background, the emerging field of Precision Psychiatry is trying to establish precise diagnostics and personalized therapy through Big Data. Electronic Health Records (EHR), smartphone-based data collection and advances in genotyping and imaging allow for a detailed clinical and neurobiological characterization of numerous patients. In order to revolutionize the treatment of psychiatric disorders, a personalization of psychiatry through machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) is needed. We must therefore establish an AI ecosystem to develop and strictly validate custom-tailored AI and ML solutions. Furthermore, personalized predictions and detailed patient information must be integrated in AI-based Clinical Decision Support systems. Only in this way can Big Data, ML and AI support the clinician most effectively and help personalize treatment in psychiatry.