AI based software by IIT to detect malaria, TB & cancer

The research focuses on building a neuromorphic system which can be used for healthcare access in resource constrained areas

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here have developed artificial intelligence (AI)based on a low-power electronic hardware system that can help in detecting malaria, tuberculosis, intestinal parasite and cervical cancer in a few milliseconds.

The research focuses on building a neuromorphic system which can be used for healthcare access in resource-constrained areas with limited access to human specialists.

“While several software, AI models exist for healthcare and diagnostic related applications, need of the hour is to efficiently map these models on portable dedicated lowpower, low-cost hardware to enable edge-AI systems accessible to all in low resource environment,” said Professor Manan Suri, Department of Electrical Engineering,

IIT Delhi.

Mr Suri, who is leading the team of researchers, said microscopy is particularly well adapted to lowresource, high disease burden areas, being both simple and versatile; even for diagnostic tasks. While newer technologies are available for diagnosis, the cost of specialised equipment may render it impractical in such places, he said.

“There is, therefore, need for alternatives which can help in providing the access to quality diagnosis that is currently routinely unavailable.”