Indian AI Platform for Cancer Care Spotlighted at BRICS Summit

An Indian-developed artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, has gained international attention at the BRICS Summit, where its capabilities were featured in a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal. This platform, created by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, aims to enhance cancer care through early detection and treatment planning.

Innovative Approach to Cancer Care

iOncology.ai integrates comprehensive cancer-related clinical data to facilitate early detection, risk stratification, and treatment planning. It also supports multidisciplinary reviews and the management of longitudinal patient data. This initiative is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, emphasizing its national significance.

The review titled “Transforming Cancer Care in Emerging Economies: India’s AI Innovation” was authored by Ashok Sharma and his team from AIIMS and C-DAC. It explores how AI can improve cancer screening, early diagnosis, and access to specialist care in developing countries.

Pilot Stage and Future Prospects

Currently, iOncology.ai is in the pilot stage of clinical validation and implementation evaluation. This phase is crucial to assess its performance and potential utility in clinical settings. Dr. Ashok Sharma expressed optimism about the platform's potential to bridge cancer-care disparities across the Global South. He emphasized the importance of BRICS collaboration in strengthening cancer prevention and treatment through evidence-based solutions.

The scale of the challenge is significant, with BRICS countries accounting for over 40% of the global population and witnessing around nine million new cancer cases annually. The review highlights disparities in cancer patterns and access to care among these nations.

Integration with India's Health Infrastructure

iOncology.ai is part of India’s broader efforts to enhance its cancer-control and digital-health infrastructure, including population screening and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The platform utilizes curated Indian clinical, radiological, and histopathological datasets, with plans to incorporate genetic data and electronic health-record systems.

Despite its potential, iOncology.ai has not yet been clinically validated. It remains in research mode, with no peer-reviewed evidence confirming its diagnostic accuracy or clinical utility. Prospective multicentre validation studies are necessary before it can be widely adopted in clinical practice.