Indian AI Platform iOncology.ai Showcased in BRICS Health Journal
iOncology.ai, developed by AIIMS and C-DAC, gains attention at the BRICS Summit for its potential to transform cancer care.
An innovative Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, has been spotlighted in a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal. The platform, developed collaboratively by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, is designed to enhance cancer care through AI-driven solutions.
Featured at BRICS Summit
The review titled “Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation,” was presented during the BRICS Summit held from September 12-13. Authored by Ashok Sharma and his team from AIIMS and C-DAC, the review examines how artificial intelligence can improve cancer screening, early diagnosis, and access to specialist care. The platform aims to integrate cancer-related clinical data to support early detection, risk stratification, treatment planning, and multidisciplinary review.
Potential Impact on Cancer Care
iOncology.ai is currently in the pilot stage of clinical validation and implementation evaluation. Dr. Ashok Sharma emphasized the platform's potential to bridge cancer-care disparities in the Global South through locally developed innovations. The BRICS countries, which account for over 40% of the global population, face significant challenges with approximately 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. The review highlights the disparities in cancer patterns and access to healthcare services, making a strong case for interoperable solutions tailored to emerging economies.
Next Steps and Evaluation
While the platform is not yet clinically validated, prospective multicentre validation is planned to establish its diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility. The developers intend to incorporate genetic data and integrate the platform with electronic health-record systems to expand its capabilities. The review places iOncology.ai within India’s broader cancer-control and digital-health infrastructure, including initiatives like population screening and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
As iOncology.ai continues to undergo evaluation in research mode, it represents a significant step toward more equitable cancer care, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The platform’s developers hope that through BRICS collaboration, they can further advance cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment in emerging economies.