AI-Generated X-ray Report at AIIMS Delhi Sparks Diagnostic Debate

Radiologists commented that although the algorithm is designed with a high negative predictive value to reduce misses in high-volume settings, the current model is not intended for unsupervised diagnosis but rather for assisting the radiologist.

A chest X-ray report from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi labelled “Verified/ AI-Radiologist” went viral on social media, triggering debate over how artificial intelligence is used in medical diagnostics.

The image, shared by a radiologist, showed a normal chest X-ray readout generated by an AI system and posted with a disclaimer stating the findings were “preliminary” and intended for clinician use only.

Following the report's circulation, AIIMS issued a statement confirming that its Radiology Department uses a clinically approved AI algorithm to triage chest radiographs, given the high daily volume of up to 1,000 scans.

The statement said that any discrepancies are reviewed by a radiologist and that AI output is not used for standalone diagnosis.

The viral incident raised questions from clinicians and legal experts about the accuracy, transparency, and regulatory standing of AI-generated diagnostic reports.

A senior AI researcher at AIIMS said that while AI reads are used in research and workflow acceleration, Indian laws require a trained specialist’s signature for any official radiology report.

Radiologists commented that although the algorithm is designed with a high negative predictive value to reduce misses in high-volume settings, the current model is not intended for unsupervised diagnosis but rather for assisting the radiologist.

The incident drew attention to the need for clearer protocols, clinician oversight, and patient transparency in digital pathology and radiology workflows to ensure safe and accountable use of AI in diagnostics.

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