In a significant breakthrough in healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI)-backed software successfully detected tuberculosis (TB) in individuals months before the onset of visible symptoms, such as coughing. Civic health officials in Mumbai reported that in 2022, the AI software diagnosed 1,050 people with TB, out of which 35% were asymptomatic. This early detection proved crucial in preventing the spread of the disease within the community.
The AI software, implemented by city-based startup Qure.ai, was deployed in nine BMC hospitals and a mobile van. Now, Qure.ai aims to expand its program to include the detection of lung cancer, where the same AI-enabled chest X-ray solution used for TB screening can be adapted to identify lung nodules that may be indicative of cancer. Qure.ai founder Prashant Warier expressed the company’s interest in partnering with the BMC to target lung cancer by leveraging the existing AI-based TB screening program.
Medical experts have recognised the potential of AI in revolutionizing healthcare. Dr. Anoop Misra, a senior endocrinologist, emphasised that AI is leading a “revolution” in the field, playing a role in trend analysis, result analysis, and research writing. Dr. Misra, who serves as the editor of a medical journal, has led reviews on AI-based tools in medicine.
Numerous studies are being conducted all around the world to investigate how AI and big data may advance medicine. For instance, facilities like Zydus Hospital in Ahmedabad and Aster MIMS in Kozhikode have seen a reduction in the time it takes to identify strokes thanks to Warier’s AI-based stroke care programme.
A recent study published in the journal “Nature Medicine” also showed that pancreatic cancer, a condition that is sometimes challenging to diagnose early, was successfully diagnosed by an AI-based programme. The use of AI in healthcare, however, still confronts difficulties.
To achieve reliable AI algorithms, Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande, Deputy Director at Tata Memorial Hospital, emphasised the requirement for high-quality data. AI is not yet a common screening tool for pancreatic cancer or other illnesses, despite the fact that it can serve as a complementary guide for doctors. He says, “It cannot be used as a general screening tool as yet.”
One of the main concerns surrounding AI in healthcare is the secure handling of patient data and the need for unbiased algorithms. Warier emphasised that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment healthcare providers’ efforts rather than a replacement. Doctors still need to rely on their judgment and experience to interpret AI data, as nothing is 100% certain at this stage, as Dr Misra noted.
The advancements made in AI-based healthcare solutions have the potential to revolutionise various medical fields, including radiology, ophthalmology, and multiple clinical specialities. As researchers continue to refine AI algorithms and address data quality concerns, AI is expected to play a vital role in enhancing healthcare outcomes and patient care.