Prof. Dr. H. Seval AKGÜN, MD, PhDs, Msc, CPHAA   CONGRESS CHAIR President of the Health Academicians Association /TÜRKİYE	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhat Devrim ZENGÜL, CONGRESS CO-CHAIR The UnIversIty of Alabama at Birmingham /USA	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bünyamin ÖZAYDIN, PhD, SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE CHAIR The UnIversIty of Alabama at Birmingham /USA

In the scope of human life, health undoubtedly stands as one of the most important topics. The rapid progress in the health sector is significantly supported by technological innovations. In this context, it is unimaginable for healthcare institutions providing diagnostic and treatment services to stay distant from technological advancements.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that aims to simulate human intelligence by mimicking human thoughts and reactions, utilizing algorithms, heuristic scanning, pattern matching, rule-based processes, deep learning, and cognitive operations to achieve desired outcomes. In healthcare services, AI is a broad term used to define machine learning algorithms and software designed to mimic human cognition in the analysis of complex medical and healthcare data. AI applications in healthcare, developed within the scope of digitalization, are used to support diagnosis, treatment, and predictions in various medical situations by identifying meaningful relationships in raw data. These applications span from disease diagnosis to patient evaluation, treatment method determination, clinical decision-making, and health maintenance.

AI algorithms can also analyze large amounts of data through electronic health records for disease prevention and diagnosis. In recent years, there have been numerous examples of AI applications in healthcare. Here are some examples:
Diagnosis and Detection: AI can be used in the diagnosis and detection of diseases. For example, using deep learning algorithms, tumors can be detected and classified in cancer screenings.
2.       Radiology: AI can be used in the analysis of radiology images. It can analyze data obtained from imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect abnormal regions.
3.       Drug Development: AI can be utilized in the drug development process. AI algorithms can help discover new drug candidates by analyzing the results of tests conducted on existing drugs.
4.       Hospital Management: AI can be applied in hospital management processes. For instance, AI algorithms can be used in appointment scheduling, resource management, and hospital staff optimization.
5.       Personalized Medicine: AI can offer personalized medical applications by analyzing patients' health data. Risk factors and treatment methods for diseases can be determined using patients' genetic data, health histories, and lifestyle information.
These are just a few examples, as AI has many different application areas in the healthcare sector. With AI, more accurate diagnoses, more effective treatments, and more efficient healthcare services can be provided. Given the advancements in AI technology, it is inevitable for healthcare professionals to encounter various technologies and related applications in clinical settings. However, the use of AI applications can also bring about information security breaches. These breaches may include:
1.       Data Security: AI algorithms can process large amounts of sensitive health data. The confidentiality and security of this data must be ensured. Data leaks or unauthorized access can lead to the disclosure of personal information and privacy breaches.
2.       Data Manipulation: AI algorithms work through data-based learning processes. If data is manipulated, the algorithms can produce incorrect results, leading to errors in critical decisions such as diagnosis or treatment planning.
3.       Misinterpretation and Incorrect Decisions: AI algorithms can produce erroneous results based on incorrect data, leading to issues such as incorrect diagnoses or treatment plans.
4.       Ethical Issues: The use of AI applications can raise ethical concerns. For instance, the accuracy of a diagnosis provided by AI or the process of informing patients needs to be considered.
Information security is a significant concern with the use of AI applications in healthcare. Healthcare organizations must strive to minimize these risks by implementing data security policies and robust encryption methods.
Therefore, the main theme of the 8th International Congress on Health Informatics and Information Security will be "AI Applications in Healthcare and Information Security Breaches."
The congress aims to create a platform for discussing Health Informatics Technologies and Information Security Applications and innovations globally. With participation from many international institution representatives and experts, the mission of the congress will be to interpret various applications, gains, and global trends in the context of Information Technologies and Information Security studies focused on healthcare services.

Additionally, this congress will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the necessary experiences and applications to deliver safer, more effective, and efficient healthcare services with ever-evolving information technologies. During the congress, you, the participants, will have the opportunity to discuss fundamental approaches to ensuring Health Informatics Technologies and Information Security worldwide through conferences, oral presentations, courses, panels, and workshops. You will also have the chance to test new systems and ideas that transcend traditional boundaries. Furthermore, participants will discuss: