Google Expands AI for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Google is enhancing its AI initiatives in India and Thailand, particularly focusing on diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes-related condition that can lead to blindness. The company is licensing its AI model to local health-tech partners, including Forus Health and AuroLab in India, and Perceptra in Thailand, aiming to provide six million AI-assisted screenings at no cost over the next decade. This effort addresses the shortage of eye specialists in these regions and builds on previous research collaborations with hospitals like Aravind Eye Hospital. Google has already facilitated over 600,000 screenings worldwide using this AI technology. Additionally, the company is partnering with Saahas Zero Waste to improve waste sorting in India, showcasing AI's broader potential for real-world applications. These initiatives were part of Google's broader strategy announced during the recent Google for India event, which emphasized the role of AI in various sectors, including healthcare and sustainability.