Abhisek Tiwari, a fervent researcher and innovator in Artificial Intelligence (AI), is committed to tackling substantial real-world challenges. He co-founded Clinical AI Assistance, focusing on cutting-edge AI applications including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Reinforcement Learning, and Dialogue Systems, with a specific emphasis on Clinical NLP and AI for Social Good. His groundbreaking clinical AI assistant Dr. Aayush is a significant stride in AI-driven medical diagnostic systems.
Having earned his PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Patna, Abhisek has made notable strides in medical dialogue systems, securing patents and publishing in prestigious journals such as IEEE Transactions on AI, ACL, and ACM Multimedia.
Acknowledged with the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF), Abhisek has also garnered attention in the commercial sphere, achieving national media coverage and recognition from a Microsoft-backed startup. His accolades include a bronze medal at the Inter IIT 2023 competition and a nomination for GPAI 2023.
Driven by a passion for advancing AI for societal betterment, Abhisek bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications. His ultimate goal is to propel technology forward for meaningful societal impact.
In an exclusive interview with The Interview World, Abhisek Tiwari unveils his groundbreaking AI-based healthcare innovation, Dr. Aayush, and articulates his strategic vision. Here are the key insights from his interview.
Q: Can you provide more details about your AI-based product, Dr. Aayush?
A: Dr. Aayush serves as a groundbreaking clinical AI assistant, seamlessly connecting patients and doctors. Long queues plague hospitals, creating immense frustration. To combat this, we developed a revolutionary clinical assistant to engage patients and conduct initial disease diagnostics.
Imagine stepping into a hospital and encountering Dr. Aayush, the AI assistant. You can articulate your symptoms in any language, saying, “I’m running a fever,” and it responds with the expertise of a seasoned doctor. It might delve into the duration of your symptoms and gather essential health metrics.
Upon completion, it directs you to a designated room. Upon arrival, the doctor has already access to a detailed preliminary report outlining your symptoms and potential diagnoses. This system even accommodates patients unfamiliar with medical terminology, allowing them to visually present their symptoms.
This innovation dramatically enhances efficiency. What previously required seven minutes per patient now only takes four and a half. A doctor who once juggled 40 patients daily now manages 60.
Dr. Aayush not only lightens the load on doctors but also slashes waiting times. This initiative stems from personal experiences with government hospitals, where exhausted doctors frequently deferred patient care to the following day.
Recognizing the strain on both sides of the healthcare system inspired the creation of Dr. Aayush. Currently operational at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, this technology represents a revolutionary leap forward in medical care.
Q: Is this product intended for integration with hospitals exclusively?
A: It’s currently entrenched in the B2B sector, catering primarily to hospital clinicians and doctors. But in healthcare, even a 98% success rate carries a 2% risk—an unacceptable gamble. The industry demands flawless precision; a mere 0.002% risk is deemed intolerable. That’s precisely why our focus remains steadfastly on B2B operations.
Q: Could you please provide the current number of active clients your company is managing?
A: Currently, we cater to approximately three clients. Moreover, for ManoWealth—a mental assessment platform—we engage around 11 clients. The significance of mental health assessment cannot be overstated, underscored by recent tragedies such as a suicide at IIT Kharagpur.
With nearly 22,000 suicides occurring annually, the need is urgent. Hence, we created ManoWealth, a groundbreaking screening-cum-assistance platform tailored specifically for university students.
ManoWealth conducts thorough screenings and facilitates direct connections with psychiatrists, ensuring students feel both secure and supported while maintaining their anonymity.
Having battled depression myself for six months, I fully grasp the transformative impact of timely intervention. Had I received the support I needed sooner, my recovery could have been achieved in just three months—potentially saving those critical extra months.
This fuels our unwavering commitment. As an IIT alum, I confidently pledge that within the next three years, we will implement ManoWealth across all IIT campuses nationwide.
Q: Could you share your insights on the market opportunity for AI-based diagnosis?
A: AI-driven diagnostics have exploded since COVID-19, catapulting the global market into billions. In India, particularly around Delhi, the sector thrives despite fragmentation.
Unlike elsewhere, there isn’t a standout leader. The focus remains on online diagnoses, virtual appointments, and specialized services rather than empowering physicians directly.
Emphasis lies on insurance and other peripheral aspects rather than direct support for doctors and radiologists, although substantial progress has been achieved.
Q: Are there any plans to develop Dr. Aayush into a B2C product that allows patients to ask questions and connect with doctors based on their symptoms?
A: A doctor strongly advocated for efficiency in healthcare, applauding my efforts in saving time. He pressed the need to extend this efficiency to patients, proposing home-based services instead of subjecting them to chaotic hospital visits for tests. The point is to streamline appointments for healthcare professionals to collect vitals between 12:15 and 12:30, optimizing patient care.
We are planning to launch this B2C service within six months. Furthermore, I understand the urgent need for support in rural India, where a staggering 60% of people lack essential healthcare services.
Q: What is your vision for the future of this organization in the next 5-10 years?
A: In the realm of healthcare innovation, I envision a bold future encapsulated by what I term the “5-5-5” vision. Over the next five years, my goal is clear: establish 500 hospitals integrating our product and reach 5 million users. This ambitious plan aims to democratize access to our revolutionary healthcare solution.
