This project marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare, as it represents the first AI-driven thyroid ultrasound diagnostic system implemented in a Malaysian clinical setting. The system is currently deployed at the PPUM Surgery Clinic, where it functions as a real-world testbed and clinical sandbox for assessing the safety, reliability, and practical integration of AI-assisted diagnostics into routine care.

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The initiative is undertaken in collaboration with an international industry partner, BeamWorks Inc. from South Korea specialising in AI-based diagnostic technologies. Beyond technology provision, the collaboration emphasised knowledge transfer and capability building, with direct engagement between the industry partner and the PPUM medical fraternity. This approach ensured that clinicians remained central to the adoption of the technology, enabling them to engage with, assess, and use the AI system meaningfully within clinical practice.

 

A key outcome of the project is the successful pilot implementation at PPUM, where AI-assisted thyroid ultrasound assessments were systematically compared against standard radiologist evaluations. The findings demonstrated non-inferior diagnostic performance, support the safe use of AI as a decision-support tool. Importantly, PPUM’s role as a controlled clinical sandbox enables iterative evaluation and refinement prior to broader deployment, reducing risk while accelerating learning.

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Looking ahead, the success of this pilot positions PPUM as a seed site for future AI-enabled diagnostics, with clear potential for expansion to other ultrasound-based applications, including breast disease assessment. The project also establishes a pathway for national adoption, subject to endorsement by the Ministry of Health (KKM) and alignment with medical device governance and regulatory frameworks, ensuring real-world impact at scale. Complementing these outcomes is a strong human capital dimension, with an MBBS-trained graduate currently pursuing a Master of Surgery with intended specialisation in AI-assisted diagnostics, reflecting the emergence of technology-augmented clinical expertise to support Malaysia’s future healthcare needs.