Babylon Health raises £50m to perfect its AI doctor
British tech firm Babylon Health has raised $60m (£46.82m) in its mission to create the perfect AI doctor.
Its app, which is used by 800,000 people, allows patients to text symptoms to artificial intelligence software and receive advice. The technology is currently being trialled by the NHS in London as an alternative to the non-emergency 111 number.
Users also have the option to pay for a video consultation with a real-life doctor.
Babylon plans to use the new investment to develop a second version of the app, creating a robot that can diagnose patients faster and more accurately.
Chief executive Ali Parsa told the BBC: “Our scientists have little doubt that our AI will soon diagnose and predict personal health better than doctors.”
The latest fundraising round puts the company’s value at $200m (£156m). Investors include Demis Hassabis and Mustafa Suleyman, founders of Google-owned AI group DeepMind.