UK: NHS to launch world's first artificial intelligence trial

NHS England is to launch the world's first artificial intelligence trial of a "transformative" AI tool that can identify people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes up to 13 years in advance. Type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 500 million people globally and is expected to affect around one billion by 2050, causes a wide range of serious complications and is not typically recognized in some patients. The AI tool analyzes data from routine ECG scans to give early warning of the risk so that patients can intervene early to avoid developing the disease.The NHS plans to trial the tool in relevant hospitals in 2025, and it is expected to be rolled out to England and other NHS systems, with initial tests predicting the risk of different patients at around 70%, and combining this with other information to improve the accuracy. The Chief Scientific Officer of the British Heart Foundation recognized the significance of the study, saying it could change the way predictions are made, providing opportunities for early intervention, risk reduction and avoidance of complications.