Google joins hands with Bayer to create AI products to support doctors in diagnosing images

Google Cloud and Bayer Healthcare said they are building an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform to help radiologists diagnose and treat cases faster.

This AI platform is capable of detecting abnormalities on X-rays, helping radiologists work more efficiently.

The technology can also retrieve relevant information from a patient's medical records.

If a patient comes in for an annual breast cancer screening, the platform can detect existing problems, compare the images with previous test results and compile the information, said Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian.

Google Cloud has been working with Bayer to develop the platform for about five years.

The platform uses existing Google Cloud services such as Vertex AI, Healthcare API, and BigQuery. The platform's data is encrypted.

The two companies also leverage Bayer's radiology expertise to ensure the products are easy for physicians to use.

A radiologist is a doctor who uses medical images such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Like many other specialties, the field is facing a growing shortage of physicians, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Many radiologists are also overworked amid an aging population and increasing workload.

Google Cloud representatives say their new platform can help reduce the workload and stress of this workforce.

However, Mr. Kurian noted that the platform does not replace radiologists, as the doctor is still the one making the decisions.

Google Cloud and Bayer are exploring a number of different pricing models for the platform.

Other healthcare organizations will begin testing and providing feedback on the platform in 2024.

Google Cloud and Bayer aren't the only companies exploring AI applications for medical imaging.

In 2021, Netherlands-based Philips Healthcare and Amazon Web Services (USA) announced that they were collaborating to apply AI to medical image data analysis.

Similarly, in 2022, GE HealthCare (USA) also announced many AI tools that the company developed to serve the field of X-ray imaging diagnosis.

However, no company has taken the lead in the market yet because this technology is still very new.