Microsoft has developed an AI diagnostic tool that approaches patient assessments step by step, much like a doctor, and was more than twice as accurate as general physicians in solving complex medical cases.
The findings mark a shift from medical AI systems that analyse symptoms, laboratory results and medical images together to produce a diagnosis. Instead, Microsoft’s approach decides what information to gather, which tests to order, and whether further investigation is needed.
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How Microsoft’s AI Diagnostic Tool Works
The system uses an “orchestrator” to organise the diagnostic process. It draws on a simulated panel of clinical experts to work through a case, identify relevant questions and determine the next steps.
It first considers the patient’s medical history and physical examination. Based on the information gathered, it decides which tests to conduct, reviews the results, and orders additional tests when necessary.
The system also updates its working hypotheses and plans as new information becomes available, the research leaders said in an interview.
This differs from conventional medical AI models, which typically assess all available symptoms, test results and imaging studies at once before generating an answer.
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Tests Show Stronger Results in Complex Cases
Researchers tested the system on more than 300 highly unusual and confusing medical cases. The AI tool was more than twice as accurate as general physicians who used textbooks and the internet to investigate patients and reach a diagnosis.
It also outperformed human physicians in scenarios drawn from a major database of emergency department admissions.
The researchers said comparisons between medical AI systems and doctors have often relied on multiple-choice questions, rather than the step-by-step investigations required in actual clinical settings.
“AI has become very good at getting a 100% pass rate on those,” said Dominic King, corporate vice president of the health unit at Microsoft AI.
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Microsoft to Test AI Tool in Emergency Departments
The study also found that the orchestrator’s diagnostic work-ups cost less than those conducted by human doctors.
“The assessment considered not only diagnostic accuracy but also how carefully and efficiently the system investigated a case,” said Harsha Nori, head of AI at Microsoft AI Health.
Microsoft researchers will next work with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston to test the tool’s ability to triage patients in emergency department waiting rooms.
The next stage will assess the system in a practical hospital setting. Its performance in these trials will be an important indicator of how the technology could support clinical decision-making.
The next milestone for Microsoft’s AI diagnostic tool will be its planned emergency department trials. These tests will assess whether its step-by-step approach can translate strong diagnostic results into practical support for hospital teams.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
