AI as Virtual “Doctors” in Virtual "Hospital" - China is not behind the USA

In 2016, China launched the Healthy China 2030 initiative, aiming to modernize healthcare and improve access by 2030, with technology, especially AI, playing a central role. AI is being promoted to address issues like doctor shortages and uneven access to care. With support from national policy and investment in research and development, AI is now being used across various areas of Chinese healthcare, from virtual doctor consultations to hospital diagnostics and drug discovery. These initiatives are harmonizing China’s healthcare system and driving medical innovation to achieve long-term objectives.

AI Tools as Virtual “Doctors”

AI-powered virtual doctor platforms in China, like Ping An Health’s Ping An Xin Yi, offer on-demand medical advice and preliminary diagnoses. These platforms feature generative AI chatbots with digital avatars of real physicians. The service is available 24/7 and provides interactive health consultations through text, voice, or video. It can interpret medical reports and offer personalized medication reminders. The system is built on Ping An’s large medical language model trained on 37,000 diseases and clinical data. It was refined with input from specialists to mimic their expertise. Studies show that these AI doctors can examine, diagnose, and recommend treatments with high accuracy. Ping An reports that its AI-driven triage and diagnosis help achieve near full accuracy in classifying cases and supporting doctors. These virtual doctors complement human physicians by handling routine queries and preliminary analysis, allowing human doctors to focus on complex cases.

Chinese AI tools have shown doctor-like capabilities in real-world scenarios. For example, Ping An’s “AskBob” AI doctor outperformed human doctors in diagnosing patient cases by providing faster and often more accurate diagnoses. It has access to a knowledge base of 38 million medical records and 30,000 diseases. iFlytek’s robot Xiaoyi passed China’s national medical licensing exam in 2017, making it the world’s first machine to do so. Xiaoyi can capture patient symptoms and medical history to offer initial diagnostic suggestions, currently being tested in hospitals to assist doctors. Tech platforms like Alibaba’s AliHealth and JD Health offer virtual doctor services through AI chatbots with natural language processing to help patients self-screen symptoms and get follow-up advice, reducing the burden on clinics. Telehealth apps like Tencent-backed WeDoctor and Ping An’s Good Doctor provide online AI-assisted consultations for common ailments to millions of users.

These systems use past consultation records to create an “AI doctor” that collects symptoms, assesses conditions, and suggests next steps. Ping An Good Doctor’s “One-Minute Clinic” kiosks have an AI engine that evaluates symptoms and medical history against a database of 300+ million consultations for over 2,000 common diseases. The AI provides a preliminary diagnosis and treatment plan, which is confirmed by a remote human physician for accuracy.

The virtual doctor kiosks in China have shown effectiveness and accuracy in real-world use.

AI-Powered Diagnostic Systems in Hospitals

Chinese hospitals are using AI systems for clinical diagnostics on a large scale. One notable area is medical imaging AI, where advanced algorithms analyze various types of medical images to detect diseases quickly and accurately. By mid-2024, China’s medical regulator had approved 92 Class III AI diagnostic devices. These tools help in detecting conditions like cancers, lung nodules, strokes, fractures, and more from medical images. Local companies like DeepWise and Shukun Technology have developed AI-driven diagnostic products that can automatically identify abnormalities that radiologists may overlook, such as subtle rib fractures or early lung tumors on scans.

AI-assisted imaging provides consistent and accurate readings for faster diagnosis, crucial in countries with limited specialists. Many large hospitals use AI technology, which is now expanding to smaller clinics to standardize care quality. Some hospitals are transitioning to “AI Hospitals,” where intelligent systems assist in patient consultations, triage, and treatment planning. For instance, AI symptom-checkers at hospital entrances help triage patients, while administrative AI enhances scheduling and automates medicine dispensing in pharmacies. These advancements boost efficiency and enable doctors to handle more patients.

AI can diagnose diseases from clinical data as effectively as physicians. In a study at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, a deep learning system was trained on 1.3 million pediatric visit records. The AI outperformed junior doctors in diagnosing common childhood illnesses like influenza, asthma, and hand-foot-mouth disease. It achieved 90–95% accuracy in identifying conditions, matching or exceeding less-experienced physicians’ performance. Sometimes, it even approached senior doctor accuracy.

AI system outperformed top Beijing neurologists in diagnosing brain tumors, showcasing AI’s potential in complex diagnoses. Chinese tech giants like Tencent are exploring AI in healthcare, with trials for Parkinson’s disease diagnosis to detect signs earlier. Doctors are increasingly using AI for second opinions in various fields, enhancing diagnostic speed and consistency in hospitals across China.

AI in Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine

AI is transforming medicine development and personalized treatment in China. Pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups are using AI algorithms to speed up drug discovery. This process usually takes years and costs billions of yuan. Chinese pharma and AI firms are collaborating more. For instance, Fosun Pharma in Shanghai partnered with Insilico Medicine to discover new drug candidates for cancer and other diseases. Insilico’s AI platform will find molecules targeting specific biological pathways, like the CD47 immune pathway, and generate promising compounds. Tencent, a tech giant known for digital health platforms, is also investing in AI-driven drug research. These efforts have led to AI-designed drug molecules entering clinical trials in China, advancing innovative therapies.

In parallel, AI is personalized medicine by analyzing vast health datasets to tailor treatments to individual patients. Chinese healthcare providers are beginning to deploy data-driven platforms that integrate electronic records, genomics, lifestyle data, and real-time patient monitoring. A recent example is SinoUnited Health in Shanghai, which built a chronic disease management system that crunches patient data to help doctors craft individualized care plans. Patients use wearable devices that feed health metrics to a central platform, where AI algorithms flag risks and suggest personalized interventions – allowing for targeted treatment adjustments for conditions like diabetes or hypertension. On a broader scale, Alibaba launched its ET Medical Brain platform in 2017 as a suite of AI solutions spanning diagnostics, drug development, and hospital management. One of Alibaba’s AI models, nicknamed “Doctor You,” focuses on early cancer detection: it can analyze medical images (like CT and ultrasound scans) to identify tumors at an early stage, helping oncologists with timely diagnoses. Additionally, China’s healthcare strategy encourages blending traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with modern AI and data analytics. A newly established joint innovation center by Hong Kong Baptist University and China Resources is using AI and big data to standardize Chinese herbal medicine treatments and monitor their effectiveness, marrying ancient remedies with cutting-edge tech. From discovering novel drugs to optimizing existing therapies for each patient, AI-driven approaches are aligning with China’s pharmaceutical ambitions and improving care precision.

Policy Initiatives and Funding under Healthcare 2030

Government policy in China is driving the development of AI in healthcare to support the Healthy China 2030 vision. In 2017, China’s State Council introduced the Next Generation AI Development Plan intending to become a leading AI innovation center by 2030, focusing on healthcare as a priority. This has led to significant funding and supportive regulations for medical AI, with nearly ￥60 billion (USD 9B) invested in “smart medicine” initiatives by 2021. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) aims for 7% annual growth in R&D spending, with a focus on advancements in AI-powered medical imaging, diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

Authorities have released policies and standards to guide development. China’s National Health Commission published guidelines for “Internet hospitals” and telemedicine services, integrating AI triage into medical practice. Premier Li Keqiang endorsed healthcare AI, saying it could address inaccessible and costly healthcare in underserved areas. Pilot programs were launched for approved hospitals to provide online consultation and e-prescription services for chronic patients, paving the way for nationwide virtual care.

Regulatory bodies have made it easier to integrate AI by creating faster approval processes. The NMPA introduced new approval categories for AI medical software and devices, resulting in over 160 AI-enabled medical devices being approved for market by 2022. These devices include diagnostic algorithms and monitoring tools. Data governance has improved with the enactment of the PIPL in 2021, which allows the use of patient data in AI development while protecting privacy. Hospitals and tech companies can access China’s medical datasets under strict privacy rules, which benefits domestic AI models.

The government promotes collaboration between public and private sectors. It has a “national team” of tech companies leading AI efforts in key areas. For example, Tencent leads AI medical diagnostics nationally. Ping An’s work in telehealth AI is acknowledged. Its online family doctor platform’s standards are now national guidelines. Joint research centers, often government-backed, are emerging. For instance, the CR-HKBU Smart Chinese Medicine Center aims to innovate AI solutions for chronic diseases and TCM. This aligns with the state’s goal to modernize traditional medicine. The Healthy China 2030 program supports AI-driven healthcare advancements through policies, funding, and partnerships.

Impact on Patient Outcomes and Accessibility

AI-driven healthcare solutions in China are improving patient outcomes. These solutions enhance diagnostic accuracy and speed, leading to early identification and treatment of conditions. For example, advanced AI models for neurological diseases can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s or ADHD using simple tests like eye movement tracking. This allows for interventions before severe symptoms appear. In oncology, AI-assisted image analysis aids in detecting cancers at earlier stages. An Alibaba AI system for pancreatic cancer can identify tiny tumors on CT scans that radiologists may miss.

These tools help reduce misdiagnoses and human error, leading to better patient outcomes. In the COVID-19 outbreak, AI demonstrated its life-saving potential. For example, in Wuhan, an AI-powered CT scan system accurately diagnosed COVID-19 pneumonia in just 15 seconds with over 90% accuracy. This quick diagnosis allowed for faster patient isolation and treatment, relieving pressure on healthcare workers and potentially improving survival rates. AI systems in many hospitals now monitor patient vital signs and lab results continuously, alerting doctors to any deterioration or risk factors much earlier than manual checks. These early alerts can help prevent complications and guide better clinical decisions, resulting in improved outcomes for critical care and chronic disease management.

Ping An Good Doctor’s One-Minute Clinic kiosks provide virtual consultations and medicine dispensing 24/7. They bring healthcare access to community locations.

AI is expanding healthcare accessibility in China. Telemedicine platforms with AI connect urban doctors with rural patients. This overcomes geographical barriers, allowing an elderly patient or someone in a small village to consult a top-tier city doctor through an app or clinic booth. An AI assistant helps with preliminary evaluation.

Ping An’s One-Minute Clinics are small units located in 8 provinces. They have conducted over 3 million user consultations, saving people from going to the hospital. Each clinic has an AI “doctor” that can assess common symptoms and provide advice or connect the user with a remote human physician if needed. This has reduced wait times and increased convenience for patients. The clinics are available 24/7 and offer on-site pharmacy services with over 100 common medications. Some companies like BiliBili and Volkswagen have also set up AI clinics at workplaces to provide immediate medical assistance to employees.

AI-driven services help free up doctors in major hospitals by handling routine questions and simpler cases, allowing them to focus on serious and complex cases, which indirectly improves care quality. The use of AI in healthcare is bridging the urban-rural healthcare gap and making primary care more affordable and accessible. Millions of Chinese now have access to basic health services through quick advice for simple conditions via smartphone or kiosk, thanks to AI. AI is pivotal in achieving the “healthcare for all” goals of 2030 and contributes to continuous medical advancements by learning from each interaction. This means the quality and scope of virtual healthcare will keep improving over time, bringing China closer to its long-term healthcare targets.

Major Players and Institutions in China’s AI Healthcare Ecosystem

China’s push toward AI-enabled healthcare involves a wide range of companies and institutions:

Ping An is a pioneer in digital health. It operates the country’s largest telemedicine platform with over 400 million users. Ping An has developed AI for online consultations, clinical decision support, and smart hospital management. Its AI systems were crucial in the COVID-19 response and it leads in healthcare AI patents worldwide.

Alibaba’s healthcare arm, AliHealth, and research labs, DAMO Academy, developed the ET Medical Brain platform. It uses AI for diagnostics, drug discovery, and hospital logistics. Alibaba Health introduced “Doctor You” for AI medical imaging diagnostics, including early cancer screening. They also partnered with Wuhan’s Landing Medical to develop AI for cervical cancer detection. Alibaba’s cloud and data capabilities, seen in projects like City Brain and genomics, are extensively used in healthcare.

Tencent, a social media giant, has invested in health tech through WeDoctor and Miying. WeDoctor offers online doctor consultations and appointment booking, valued over $5.5 billion in 2018. Miying, Tencent’s AI, is used in hospitals for AI-driven cancer diagnostics, focusing on medical imaging for early tumor detection. Tencent is involved in national AI research for medicine and supports AI-based drug discovery startups.

JD Health is the health arm of e-commerce giant JDlibaba’s healthcare arm, AliHealth, and research labs, DAMO Academy, developed the ET Medical Brain platform. It uses AI for diagnostics, drug discovery, and hospital logistics. Alibaba Health introduced “Doctor You” for AI medical imaging diagnostics, including early cancer screening. They also partnered with Wuhan’s Landing Medical to develop AI for cervical cancer detection. Alibaba’s cloud and data capabilities, seen in projects like City Brain and genomics, are extensively used in healthcare.

Tencent, a social media giant, has invested in health tech through WeDoctor and Miying. WeDoctor offers online doctor consultations and appointment booking, valued over $5.5 billion in 2018. Miying, Tencent’s AI, is used in hospitals for AI-driven cancer diagnostics, focusing on medical imaging for early tumor detection. Tencent is involved in national AI research for medicine and supports AI-based drug discovery startups.

JD Health is the health arm of e-commerce giant JD.com. It offers telemedicine and nationwide online pharmacy services. The company uses AI chatbots for initial medical advice and managing chronic diseases. Leveraging JD’s logistics ensures quick drug delivery. Collaborating with hospitals, JD Health integrates AI into patient scheduling and follow-up care to connect online and offline services effectively.

iFlytek is a leader in voice AI. They developed the first AI robot to pass China’s medical licensing exam. The AI doctor assistant, in partnership with Anhui Provincial Hospital, listens to patient symptoms, transcribes and analyzes medical interviews, and offers diagnostic suggestions to human doctors. iFlytek’s AI is used in medical speech recognition for electronic record entry and patient interaction in hospitals.

Healthcare AI startups are driving innovation in niche areas. DeepWise and InferVision focus on radiology AI for lung nodule and COVID-19 detection from CT scans. Shukun Technology specializes in cardiovascular imaging AI. These startups have contributed to the approval of many AI devices. Yitu Healthcare, a division of Yitu Tech, co-developed pediatric diagnosis AI that outperformed junior doctors, highlighting local talent in AI algorithm design. Companies like XtalPi and Insilico Medicine use AI simulations and generative models for drug discovery to design new compounds. Insilico’s collaboration with Fosun Pharma showcases a startup partnering with the industry to create novel therapeutics.

Research institutes and hospitals, including top universities and medical centers in China, play a crucial role in the development of AI healthcare. Tsinghua University’s Institute for AI Industry Research is testing autonomous diagnostics through a “virtual hospital” run by AI doctors. Leading hospitals like Peking Union Medical College Hospital and PLA General Hospital collaborate with tech firms on clinical AI solutions, from smart imaging to AI-assisted surgery. The Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center leads in providing data and clinical expertise for AI training. These institutions ensure AI tools are validated in real medical settings and meet clinicians’ needs. Government bodies like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and provincial health tech hubs also contribute to research, funding, and oversight.

Each of these actors - be it tech giants, startups, or medical institutions - plays a unique role in promoting China’s AI healthcare agenda. Through strong collaboration among the government, industry, and academia, China is swiftly turning its ambitious Healthcare 2030 objectives into practical solutions. AI-driven virtual doctors, intelligent diagnostic systems, and personalized therapies are now more than just concepts in China - they are integral components of the healthcare system, consistently enhancing the quality of patient care, broadening access, and guiding the country towards a healthier future vision.

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