Jaipur: Artificial intelligence could be a game-changer in India’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer by helping doctors identify suspicious abnormalities early, prioritise high-risk patients and accelerate further investigations.
Experts highlighted this at NAPCON 2026, the 28th Joint Annual National Conference of the National College of Chest Physicians, India (NCCP-I), and the Indian Chest Society (ICS), held from October 22 to 25 here.
More than 2,000 pulmonologists, respiratory physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from India, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries participated in the conference.
Dr Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS, Delhi, who inaugurated the conference, said, “Artificial intelligence has the potential to change how we approach the early detection of respiratory diseases. By helping identify suspicious findings on chest X-rays and CT scans, AI can support doctors in making faster, more informed decisions and directing patients towards timely investigations.”
AI-powered software can analyse chest X-rays and flag patterns that may indicate TB, helping healthcare professionals identify people who need further testing.
The World Health Organisation has recommended the use of computer-aided detection software as an option for TB screening in appropriate populations.
India, accounting for approximately 26 per cent of estimated global TB cases in 2024, could particularly benefit from AI-assisted screening in underserved areas, primary healthcare facilities and mobile diagnostic programmes, experts said.
By supporting faster identification and referral, the technology could help reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment. However, confirmatory testing remains essential, they emphasised.
They also stressed that AI-assisted imaging must be used alongside clinical assessment and established diagnostic protocols, rather than as a stand-alone diagnosis.
Dr Raj Kumar, Director of Delhi’s Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, said AI-assisted chest X-ray screening offers an important opportunity to expand the reach of TB detection, particularly in settings where specialist expertise is not always readily available.
The technology can help prioritise patients requiring further evaluation and also make screening more efficient, he said, adding that the benefit will come after integration of these tools into a reliable diagnostic system that connects patients with confirmatory tests and timely treatment.
AI is also emerging as a promising support tool in lung cancer detection.
Algorithms can help doctors examine CT scans, identify suspicious lung nodules and highlight abnormalities, potentially improving the opportunity for treatment before the disease advances.
Dr Mohammed Munavvar, Senior Interventional Pulmonologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, United Kingdom, said lung cancer outcomes are closely linked to how early the disease is identified.
“AI can help clinicians detect and assess suspicious nodules on CT scans and prioritise patients who may need further investigation.”
The responsible application of these algorithms can strengthen diagnostics and support earlier clinical decisions, Dr Munavvar said, warning that the performance of these tools must be validated and their findings interpreted by trained healthcare professionals.
The experts believe AI could bring a significant shift in Indian pulmonology by helping manage large volumes of medical images and supporting healthcare teams in identifying patients who need attention sooner.
However, its success will depend on affordable access, reliable infrastructure, appropriate training, validation in Indian populations and clear pathways for confirmatory diagnosis and treatment.
AI should complement doctors’ expertise, not replace it, they said.
“AI offers new possibilities for earlier detection of TB and lung cancer, and our priority must be to translate these advances into practical, accessible solutions that benefit patients across India,” NAPCON 2026 organisers said.
