Microsoft has launched a powerful new medical AI tool that outperforms human doctors in diagnosing complex health issues. As part of this move, the tech giant has also started a new round of layoffs.
Microsoft Introduces a Smart Medical AI
The company claims this new AI marks the beginning of what could become “medical superintelligence.”
Their research shows that the AI can go step-by-step through the toughest medical cases—ones that even top doctors find difficult.
The AI project is led by British tech expert Mustafa Suleyman. His team has built a system that acts like a panel of expert doctors. It can handle highly complex and mentally challenging medical cases.
Introducing MAI-DxO: Microsoft’s AI Diagnostic Orchestrator
The AI tool, called MAI-DxO (Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator), has correctly diagnosed up to 85% of medical cases from the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
This is a huge improvement—over four times more accurate than a group of experienced doctors.
Microsoft also claims that MAI-DxO makes these diagnoses more cost-effectively than human physicians. It is better at choosing the right tests, saving both time and money.
AI Tool Proves Much More Accurate Than Human Doctors
MAI-DxO was developed by Microsoft’s healthcare AI division, which was launched last year by Mustafa Suleyman.
When the AI works alongside OpenAI’s advanced o3 model, it has been able to solve more than 80% of the test cases provided.
In comparison, when the same test cases were given to real doctors working alone—without the help of books, colleagues, or tools—they were only able to solve 2 out of 10 cases.
According to Microsoft, the AI is not just more accurate but also more efficient, making it a cheaper alternative to traditional diagnostics.
Handling Highly Complex Medical Cases
MAI-DxO was tested on NEJM cases that are known for being extremely complex and usually need input from several doctors and a series of tests before a diagnosis is possible.
The AI tool’s 85% success rate in these cases makes it a significant achievement.
Microsoft explained, “Scaling this kind of advanced reasoning could transform healthcare. AI could help patients manage everyday health issues on their own and assist doctors with difficult medical decisions.”
Not Ready for Hospitals Yet
Despite the exciting results, Microsoft admits that the AI is still not ready for real-world medical use.
The company says more testing is needed, especially on common symptoms and everyday cases, to ensure the system is safe and reliable.
