A new AI-powered clinical copilot has demonstrated significant potential in improving diagnostic and treatment accuracy across multiple healthcare facilities. In a recent study involving nearly 40,000 patient visits across 15 clinics in Nairobi, the AI Consult tool helped clinicians achieve a 16% reduction in diagnostic errors and a 13% reduction in treatment errors compared to those working without the system.
The AI Consult tool was designed as a real-time support system that integrates with electronic health records and runs unobtrusively during patient visits. It functions as a safety net by providing timely alerts only when potential issues are detected, ensuring that clinicians retain complete control over medical decisions. Using a color-coded feedback system, it displays green checkmarks when no concerns are found, yellow alerts for moderate issues, and red warnings for safety-critical concerns.
The system, powered by an advanced AI model, was developed to align closely with clinical workflows. Feedback from healthcare professionals played a major role in refining its implementation. Clinicians reported that the AI copilot not only enhanced their ability to make accurate diagnoses but also served as an educational tool. Over time, the frequency of red alerts decreased among users, indicating that they were learning to avoid common diagnostic and treatment pitfalls even before the system intervened.
The study, conducted between January and April 2025, found especially notable results when the AI issued red alerts. In such cases, diagnostic errors were reduced by 31% and treatment errors by 18%, showcasing the tool’s value in high-risk scenarios.
Clinicians participating in the trial expressed strong support for the AI Consult tool. All reported that it improved the quality of care, with 75% describing the improvement as “substantial.” Beyond reducing errors, the system also appeared to increase clinician confidence and enhance patient safety.
Following the positive outcomes of this study, the organization behind AI Consult is now collaborating with PATH to conduct a randomized controlled trial. The goal is to measure the tool’s impact on broader patient outcomes and establish a scalable model for AI-driven clinical decision support in primary care settings.
This innovation marks a significant step toward the integration of artificial intelligence into frontline healthcare delivery, with promising implications for both clinician performance and patient safety.
