Google Says Its AI Can Predict Lung Cancer Accurately

A team of Google researchers has used a deep-learning algorithm to predict lung cancer accurately from computed scans. The work demonstrates the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase both accuracy and consistency, which could help accelerate adoption of lung cancer screening worldwide. Lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers worldwide -- more than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined -- and it's the sixth most common cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. "Using advances in 3D volumetric modelling alongside datasets from our partners (including Northwestern University), we've made progress in modelling lung cancer prediction as well as laying the groundwork for future clinical testing," Shravya Shetty, M.S. Technical Lead at Google explained in a blog post late Monday. Google researchers created a model that can not only generate the overall lung cancer malignancy prediction (viewed in 3D volume) but also identify subtle malignant tissue in the lungs (lung nodules).