Fortune has included Alibaba Group in its 10th annual Change the World list, which celebrates companies making a big impact on society while also being profitable. Alibaba ranked 8th on the list, the only Chinese company in the top 10.
Alibaba was recognized for its AI-powered cancer detection tool developed by DAMO Academy, which helps diagnose cancer faster and at a lower cost. The tool, called PANDA, focuses on detecting pancreatic cancer, a disease that causes almost half a million deaths worldwide each year.
PANDA was first used in two hospitals in Zhejiang, China, and it has proven to be 34.1% more sensitive than radiologists in identifying issues during scans. The tool uses a deep learning model to detect cancerous masses in the pancreas by analyzing non-contrast CT scans, which are more efficient and expose patients to less radiation.
Alibaba’s goal is to use AI throughout the entire cancer treatment process, from early detection to accurate diagnosis. Since its launch in 2023, PANDA has expanded to detect other cancers, including liver, esophagus, and colon tumors.
DAMO Academy’s head of medical AI, Le Lu, shared that they will continue working with hospitals to make healthcare services more accessible, accurate, and affordable using AI technology.
Source: alizila
