India (Commonwealth Union)_ In a groundbreaking achievement, Bengaluru-based start-up Beyond has unveiled August AI, a revolutionary educational tool that has aced the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Post Graduation (NEET PG) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Postgraduate (AIIMS PG) exams in India, securing an impressive 74.5 percent. Not stopping there, it also dazzled with a remarkable 94.8 percent on the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), surpassing established AI systems like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s MedPaLM.
Anuruddh Mishra, the Co-Founder & CEO of Beyond, couldn’t be prouder. He said, “August AI’s remarkable achievement in these tests showcases its competence and deep understanding of medical knowledge.” What sets August AI apart is its unique approach. Rather than relying on conventional methods, it employs a blend of large language models (LLMs) and a custom orchestration layer, creating an innovative educational tool. This technology enables personalized and natural conversations, akin to everyday chatting on platforms like WhatsApp.
Over the last year, the team has conducted over 1,500 health consultations, diligently fine-tuning August based on real-world interactions. Mishra explained, “We’ve done this to figure out the best ways to guide someone around their health.” This hands-on approach has been pivotal in shaping August into an intuitive tool that truly understands its users.
Recognizing the diversity of healthcare needs, August AI is designed to comprehend the intricacies of the Indian health system. Mishra emphasized, “Understanding the health of people from different ethnicities is still something that the overall healthcare ecosystem is not good at.” From the outset, the team focused on tailoring August for India and its people, actively collecting India-specific data to enhance its capabilities.
In a time when data security is paramount, August AI stands out. Unlike Google, where every search leads to targeted ads, all conversations with August are kept strictly private. Mishra underscored this commitment to privacy, ensuring users can trust and confide in the platform.
The development team, consisting of engineers, data scientists, and medical professionals, embarked on extensive experimentation to refine various LLMs, culminating in the core engine behind August’s health AI. Through a proprietary ensemble refinement technique, August AI provides accurate answers while minimizing inaccuracies and hallucinations. Mishra pointed out, “Unlike Google, where even a simple health issue like a headache leads to a conclusion of cancer, August thoughtfully allows people to understand their symptoms and even suggests the right type of person they should consult for the issue.”
However, it’s important to note that August does not make diagnoses. Mishra clarified, “We don’t think health AIs are there yet.” The team recognizes that while AI can provide preliminary information regarding symptoms, it should never replace the advice and opinions of qualified healthcare professionals. Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant at Apollo Proton Cancer Centers, echoed this sentiment, adding that AI can play a vital role in alerting patients to emergency clinical conditions and guiding them towards immediate medical attention.
Mishra also highlighted the challenges faced in developing Generative AI for healthcare, such as cost and the need for specific data. He emphasized, “As we look to reimagine it and scale, we’ll need support, not just from the existing healthcare ecosystem, but from the government, technologists, and capital allocators.”
In the realm of medical entrance exams, AI-driven tools can offer invaluable support to aspiring medical students. Chilukuri noted, “AI can be a virtual tutor where access to personalized teaching is not possible or affordable. It can generate real-time feedback and clarify concepts.” AI’s benefits extend to providing performance analytics, aiding students in their exam preparation. However, Chilukuri emphasized that AI should complement, not replace, the hard work, dedication, and smart preparation strategies that students employ. Experienced teachers and mentors remain invaluable in guiding students towards success in these exams.
With August AI leading the charge, the future of medical education looks brighter than ever. Its impressive performance in exams and its user-centric approach to healthcare are a testament to the power of innovation and dedication. As AI continues to shape the landscape of healthcare, August stands as a shining example of its potential to revolutionize education and patient care.
