Microsoft develops AI tool that can diagnose 'sequentially' like a doctor

Microsoft has developed an AI tool capable of diagnosing patients step by step, mirroring the method employed by doctors, according to a study published in Science. This innovative model was found to be more than twice as accurate as general physicians in solving complex medical cases. The AI tool, named the diagnostic orchestrator, employs a simulated panel of clinical experts to coordinate the questioning, exams, and tests required for a patient's diagnosis.

Unlike existing medical AI models that typically take an all-at-once approach, the orchestrator organizes the diagnostic process, beginning with assessing the patient's history and physical exam, then determining necessary tests, updating working hypotheses, and planning subsequent steps. The tool outperformed human physicians when presented with challenging medical scenarios, including those drawn from a major database of emergency room admissions.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered that the diagnostic process using the orchestrator was more cost-effective than when conducted by human doctors. The study was conducted in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, with plans to test the tool's ability to triage patients in emergency department waiting rooms.