The diseases are potentially serious infections that mainly affect the lungs but often require a combination of different diagnostic tests such as CT scans, blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds. These tests can be expensive, and there are often lengthy waiting times for results.
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) researchers originally created an AI to quickly detect Covid-19 from X-ray images. But it has subsequently been proven to automatically identify a range of different lung diseases in a matter of minutes, with a claimed accuracy of around 98 per cent.
The technology could be used to help relieve strain on pressured hospital departments through the quick and accurate detection of disease – freeing up radiographers continuously in high demand; reducing waiting times for test results; and creating efficiencies within the testing process.
UWS researcher Professor Naeem Ramzan said: “Systems such as this could prove to be crucial for busy medical...