Researchers are developing AI tools to quantify pain, traditionally a subjective measure. This shift could change how pain is treated in medicine.

The subjective nature of pain has long posed challenges in medical assessment and treatment. Researchers are now leveraging artificial intelligence to create tools that can quantify pain more reliably. One significant advancement is PainChek, a smartphone application that uses AI to analyze facial muscle movements and generate a pain score. This app has received regulatory approval in various regions and has been used for over 10 million assessments. The shift towards AI-driven pain assessment could revolutionize how healthcare providers understand and treat pain. However, it also prompts important discussions about the implications of algorithmic assessments on patient care and treatment methodologies. As more startups enter this space, the landscape of pain management may be on the brink of significant change.