The first three industrial revolutions that took place in history provided people with opportunities to live rich lives, along with cultural benefits. However, with regards to the fourth industrial revolution, which is expected to be completed in the next 10 to 20 years, deep fears are present in the midst of coexisting expectations and worries. Unemployment and the polarization of wealth are problems that the fourth industrial revolution is expected to bring about, and the medical world will also face considerable and fundamental difficulties due to the emergence of artificial intelligence. Based on a review of several arguments and predictive theories that have been presented thus far, the author would like to make the following proposals. The fact that the emergence of artificial intelligence will revolutionize the foundations of the medical world should be clearly recognized. With regards to medical treatment using artificial intelligence, we should be very concerned about whether doctors will be the masters or the slaves of artificial intelligence, and if we are to become the main agents of the age of artificial intelligence, now is the time to engage in careful introspection about what we should do. Medicine will be transformed into predictive medicine in the future thanks to the fusion of information and communications technology with precision medicine, supported by the development of genomics, proteomics, and cytomics. As we enter the age of the fourth industrial revolution, doctors should recognize the fact that only emotionally sensitive approaches to treating patients and interdisciplinary collaboration will protect us.
Artificial Intelligence ; Clinical Medicine ; Cooperative Behavior ; Education, Medical ; Foundations ; Genomics ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; Proteomics ; Slaves ; Unemployment

Although colonoscopy was originally a diagnostic imaging procedure, it has now expanded to include an increasing range of therapeutic interventions. These procedures require precise maneuvers of instruments, execution of force, efficient transmission of force from the operator to the point of application, and sufficient dexterity in the mobilization of endoscopic surgical instruments. The conventional endoscope is not designed to support technically demanding endoscopic procedures. In case of colonoscopy, the tortuous anatomy of the colon makes inserting, moving, and orientating the endoscope difficult. Exerting excessive pressure can cause looping of the endoscope, pain to the patient, and even perforation of the colon. To mitigate the technical constraints, numerous technically enhanced systems have been developed to enable better control of instruments and precise delivery of force in the execution of surgical tasks such as apposing, grasping, traction, counter-traction, and cutting of tissues. Among the recent developments are highly dexterous robotic master and slave systems, computer-assisted or robotically enhanced conventional endoscopes, and autonomously driven locomotion devices that can effortlessly traverse the colon. Developments in endoscopic instrumentations have overcome technical barriers and opened new horizons for further advancements in therapeutic interventions. This review describes examples of some of these systems in the context of their applications to advanced therapeutic colonoscopy.
Colon ; Colonoscopy* ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Endoscopes ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Locomotion ; Robotics* ; Slaves ; Surgical Instruments ; Traction