AI system powers local children's hospital

More than 300,000 people have used Shanghai’s smart children’s hospital system with artificial intelligence features, the first of its kind in China. 

The system, which made its debut in the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center on Children’s Day last year, cuts waiting times by at least 90 minutes and improves doctors’ efficiency.

The system includes functions such as pre-diagnosis examination, appointments, QR code guide, smart diagnosis and medical tests, according to developer Yitu Healthcare.

The integration of AI partly solves the problems of long queues in children's hospitals and the shortage of medical resources in the sector, according to industry insiders.

AI offers us a precise, efficient and fair platform. It allows us to make best use of our resources to serve the public, according to the local center.

In its first year, the system has served 270,000 patients in hospital and around 60,000 patients online.

For patients, it simplifies processes, saves a time and improve the experience of seeing a doctor.

Shanghai-based Yitu is one of the four fastest growing AI “unicorns” in China — private startups valued at more than US$1 billion.

It raised US$30 million in the latest round of financing in March, according to business data service provider Qixinbao.