Google AI can now detect TB with just the sound of your cough

During Google for India event, the company has unveiled several new steps taken to ensure its take to boost health infrastructure. Google is revolutionising healthcare in India by introducing AI-driven cancer and tuberculosis screening. Through strategic partnerships with Indian hospitals, Google’s advanced AI models are designed to optimise diagnosis and treatment. In a significant move, Google plans to offer these life-saving screenings free of charge for the next decade, bridging the gap in accessible healthcare.
The event unfolded with Bakul Patel, senior director, global digital health and regulatory strategy at Google, discussing how the company is using AI in health products. “We want to marshall Google’s health solutions that will work for people in diverse settings and languages,” he says. For consumers, it has also partnered with Apollo to create more than 800 health knowledge panels on search, available in both English and Hindi.
Over this period of time, Google has been releasing health products that people use every day. Whether via Search or YouTube, more and more people are turning to find out about their health symptoms. Google has released the Google Health application for both Android and iOS to help people manage their health updates across the apps. “Our most accurate heart rate sensor in the recently released Pixel Watch 3 uses AI to provide actionable insights for your fitness goals,” he adds.
Moreover, the Google detection tool is now even more advanced than before. With only audio prompts, Google is now capable of detecting tuberculosis. The tech giant has also collaborated with Apollo Radiology International to conduct 3 million AI-powered screening across the country for free.
Additionally, Youtube will now have both English and Hindi shells for diabetes, cancer, depression and anxiety, so that accurate information reaches people when in need. The company has also announced that the search will provide hotline information in Indian languages.
Disease detection is just one angle of many. Google also supports the digitalisation of health records for easy access to both doctors and patients. To streamline the feature, the company has shaken hands with the Government of India.
Google’s health research team has supported NHA to build tools that help developers easily integrate with the machine architecture, with the time taken for app integration potentially reduced from up to 6 months to less than 2 weeks, Patel says, while inviting Kiran Gopal Viska, the mission director of ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) on stage.
“By leveraging technology, our mission is to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, streamline processes, and ultimately lead to a paradigm shift in healthcare in India. By fostering interoperability and connecting stakeholders, we aim to reduce fragmentation and increase transparency. This will make how healthcare is provided more efficient and patient-centric,” Viska says.
With the help of AI-powered systems, India will be able to provide more personalised care to every patient. As part of this commitment, Google’s collaboration with the Government of India’s ABDM is being implemented by the National Health Authority.
Further, starting next year, ABHA health ID cards, which enable people to store, share and receive digital health information seamlessly with healthcare groups across the country, will be accessible on Google Wallet in partnership with Eka Care. To ensure privacy, ABHA ID holders will need to authenticate their devices with a fingerprint, PIN, or passcode to add or access their ABHA ID in Google Wallet. This will empower over 600 million users to conveniently and securely manage their health information, like lab reports and prescriptions, and better utilize India’s public health infrastructure for their well-being.