A chest X-ray report from AIIMS New Delhi, marked “Verified / AI-Radiologist,” recently went viral online, stirring a fierce debate among medical professionals. The report, which indicated a “normal” chest scan, bore a disclaimer stating its AI-generated findings are preliminary and should be used by clinicians only, not relied upon as definitive diagnoses. 

Radiologist Dr. Suvarankar Datta, a resident at AIIMS and AI researcher, responded via a video to clarify that the report was part of a research study, not a standalone clinical document. According to him, AI-generated reports in India currently carry no legal weight unless signed by a trained radiologist  a mandatory requirement under existing medical regulations. 

AIIMS has defended its use of AI, explaining that its radiology department employs a clinically approved algorithm to triage chest X-rays, particularly to manage its enormous daily workload of up to 1,000 radiographs. The hospital stated that any concerning images flagged by AI are reviewed by a human radiologist, while “negative” scans are reported faster because the AI tool is tuned for a high negative predictive value (NPV). 

Still, the controversy spotlights deeper issues around AI adoption in healthcare  from ethical use and clinical accountability to legal liability. Some doctors see the technology as a potent ally for faster workflows and error reduction others caution that overreliance on AI could undermine diagnostic rigor and patient safety without clear regulatory guardrails.