Global AI Conclave | AI can transform healthcare and nutrition, say experts

Furthermore, Vashisht emphasised the potential of AI in providing valuable insights, surpassing human capabilities. He stated that AI-generated advice exhibits a remarkable 30% retention rate, outperforming advice from humans. According to him, AI's superiority in providing advice underscores its significant potential to revolutionise healthcare practices.

Meanwhile, Dastidar highlighted the application of AI in the diagnosis process, particularly in clinical laboratories. While most lab processes are fully automated, the examination of disease samples still relies heavily on manual review by pathologists or qualified personnel. Dastidar emphasised the need for automation in this area, as more than 90-95% of labs worldwide still lack it. He explained that the traditional process involves a qualified reviewer physically present with a microscope and sample, making remote diagnostics challenging.

To address this limitation, Dastidar proposed two key solutions. First, replacing analogue microscopes with digital ones allows for the creation of virtual slides from physical samples. These digital slides can be uploaded to a cloud platform, enabling pathologists to review them remotely. This method, already employed in radiology, enhances efficiency and accessibility. Second, he discussed the role of AI in analysing these images, identifying key features or potential diagnoses, and presenting them to reviewers before they delve into the entire sample. This approach aims to make pathologists more efficient, potentially allowing them to manage a higher number of samples each day. Ultimately, Dastidar sees AI as a crucial tool in improving diagnostic efficiency and extending quality healthcare to a larger population.