Controversy Surrounds AI-Generated Chest X-Ray Report in India

Viral Report Raises Questions About AI Accuracy

New Delhi: A chest X-ray report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has sparked controversy after being shared widely on social media. The report, labelled “Verified/ AI-Radiologist,” has led to concerns regarding its accuracy and the implications of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for reading medical scans in India.

Details of the Report

The image, posted by a radiologist on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), featured a normal chest X-ray report purportedly analyzed by an AI system. The report confirmed the patient’s chest X-ray was normal. However, a disclaimer at the bottom indicated that AI-generated results were only “preliminary” and intended for clinician use, emphasizing that they should not be relied upon for a standalone diagnosis. The disclaimer stated, “Accordingly, neither the hospital nor Qure.ai makes no expressed or implied warranties or representations with respect to the merits, accuracy or the reliability of the report.”

Mixed Reactions from the Medical Community

The report elicited varied responses from medical professionals. Some hailed it as a significant advancement in medical technology, while others expressed concerns regarding patient safety and the evolving role of radiologists. One doctor remarked, “It’s a big leap for medical tech and a great workflow booster: faster reads, fewer misses, better triage. But the viral report itself reminds us — AI outputs are preliminary and must be clinically correlated. Radiologists interpret context, complexity, and patient nuance. The future is AI assisting radiologists, not replacing them.”

Expert Clarification on AI Use

Dr. Suvarankar Datta, a radiologist in training at AIIMS and an AI researcher, provided further insights into the viral report. In a video statement, he clarified that the circulating report is part of a research study and should not be considered a final diagnostic report. “AI reports today have absolutely no standing without a radiologist’s signature… Multiple laws in India prevent any autonomous diagnosis by software or AI. Every radiology or pathology report must be signed by a trained specialist,” he stated.

The Role of AI in Radiology

Dr. Datta explained that while AI is utilized globally, including in India, to generate preliminary reads, the viral report is valid only as an initial AI-generated analysis. He emphasized the necessity of review by a clinician or radiologist before it can be presented to a patient as a verified diagnostic report. He further noted, “AI can generate preliminary reads, but it cannot replace final human verification. Such autonomous reports are only permitted under research protocols with proper consent and ethics approvals.”

AIIMS’ Official Response

In response to the viral report, AIIMS issued an official statement via their ‘X’ handle. The Radiology Department confirmed the use of a clinically approved AI algorithm to manage the high volume of chest X-rays, which can reach up to 1,000 per day. The statement clarified, “If any discrepancy is noticed in the AI results, a radiologist reviews the X-ray, along with the routine review of select positive radiographs. AI helps manage this load efficiently while maintaining patient safety.”