How UAE AI tool spots every TB case – groundbreaking study reveals
AIRIS-TB could automate 80% of chest X-ray assessments, M42 study finds
Abu Dhabi: An Abu Dhabi-led study has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) can play a decisive role in detecting tuberculosis (TB) with unprecedented accuracy, potentially transforming global screening programmes.
Conducted in collaboration with Capital Health Screening Centre (CHSC) in Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, the study analysed more than one million chest X-rays (CXRs) in one of the largest real-world tests of AI in healthcare. The AI Radiology in Screening TB (AIRIS-TB) – M42’s cutting-edge AI model – achieved an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC) score of 98.5 per cent and reported zero false negatives for TB cases, making it one of the most accurate TB screening tools to date.
Tool can automate 80% screenings
The findings, published in the scientific journal npj Digital Medicine – Nature, suggest the technology could automate up to 80 per cent of routine screenings, easing the burden on radiologists, reducing errors and speeding up diagnosis in high-volume programmes.
Presently, CXR review remains labour-intensive and prone to oversight and error, potentially leading to missed or delayed diagnoses, with a prior study stating a 26.6 per cent increase in missed findings when radiologists double their annotation speed, and a rise in errors after 9 hours into their shift.
Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, with 10.8 million cases and 1.25 million deaths in 2023, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Experts say the AI model could help bridge gaps in countries with shortages of radiologists, enabling faster and more equitable screening.
Empowering radiologists
Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group CEO of M42, noted that AI can deliver unmatched accuracy and scalability, especially in resource-limited settings.
“This landmark study marks a pivotal moment in the potential power of AI in the global fight against tuberculosis,” said Moulavasilis.
Dr Laila Abdel Wareth, CEO of Capital Health Screening Centre added: “By automating high-volume, routine screenings with precision, we are equipping radiologists to concentrate on complex and high-risk cases, unlocking greater diagnostic capacity.”
The study underwent ethical review by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for AI-driven medical innovation.
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