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Microsoft says AI system better than doctors at diagnosing complex health conditions

(5 months ago)
Dan Milmo
Artificial intelligence (AI)MicrosoftHealthDoctorsComputingTechnologyScience

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Microsoft's AI unit, led by Mustafa Suleyman, has developed an AI system that significantly outperforms human doctors in diagnosing complex health conditions. The system, using OpenAI's o3 model and a "diagnostic orchestrator," achieved over 80% accuracy on New England Journal of Medicine case studies, compared to 20% for human physicians. Microsoft emphasizes AI's role as a complement to doctors, not a replacement, despite calling it a "path to medical superintelligence."

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  1. 1 Microsoft's AI unit developed a new AI system for health diagnoses
  2. 2 The system was tested on over 300 NEJM case studies
  3. 3 AI system achieved over 80% accuracy, human doctors 20%
  4. 4 Microsoft announced the research on Monday
  5. 5 Research is being submitted for peer review
  6. 6 Microsoft acknowledges the system is not yet ready for clinical use
  • Potential for radical change in healthcare
  • AI could empower patients and clinicians
  • Cost savings through efficient test ordering
  • Further testing needed before clinical use
What: Microsoft announced an AI system that surpasses human doctors in diagnosing complex health conditions.
When: Announced Monday (June 30, 2025).
Where: Microsoft's AI unit (global, but research announced by British tech pioneer).
Why: To develop advanced diagnostic tools, potentially reduce healthcare costs, and explore the capabilities of AI in healthcare.
How: The AI system imitates a panel of expert physicians, using existing AI models (OpenAI's o3, Meta, Anthropic, Grok, Gemini) and a bespoke "diagnostic orchestrator" to take step-by-step measures for diagnosis. It was tested on over 300 interactive case challenges from the New England Journal of Medicine.

Microsoft's AI unit, led by Mustafa Suleyman, has developed an AI system that significantly outperforms human doctors in diagnosing complex health conditions. The system, using OpenAI's o3 model and a "diagnostic orchestrator," achieved over 80% accuracy on New England Journal of Medicine case studies, compared to 20% for human physicians. Microsoft emphasizes AI's role as a complement to doctors, not a replacement, despite calling it a "path to medical superintelligence."