Geetha Manjunath on the AI breakthrough transforming early cancer detection

At TechHR India, the stage opened to a story that reminded us why innovation needs empathy and why purpose matters more than ever in the age of AI. Geetha Manjunath, a computer scientist and AI specialist who once led global research teams as a Principal Scientist at HP Labs, stood before a packed room of HR leaders with a deeply personal mission. Years ago, a close cousin was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer and passed away within a year. Just months later, another family member succumbed to the same disease on their son’s birthday.

These moments shifted the trajectory of Geetha’s life. “I left my job, not because I had a product idea, but because I felt this was a problem we could no longer ignore,” she said.

That conviction gave rise to Niramai Health Analytix, now recognised as one of the World Economic Forum’s Top 20 Technology Pioneers of 2024. What started as a personal mission has grown into a global innovation story: Niramai’s AI-powered solution for breast cancer screening, Thermalytix, is now used in 22 countries, with partners ranging from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to global corporations like Google and Microsoft.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women, claiming 2,000 lives every day globally. And yet, most of these deaths are preventable. The problem? Late detection. In India, only 1.3% of women undergo regular screening, often due to cost, access, or discomfort with traditional mammography methods.

Thermalytix offers a game-changing alternative. Combining high-resolution thermal sensing with advanced AI, the test detects subtle temperature variations in breast tissue—an early indicator of abnormal growth. The experience is private, painless, radiation-free, and takes less than 15 minutes. Results can be delivered via email or WhatsApp within 24 hours. The system is clinically validated, regulatorily approved (including Europe and the US), and GDPR-compliant. Over 300,000 women have already been screened across hospitals, corporates, and rural camps. Notable adopters include Google, Microsoft, Accenture, and Infosys, many of whom have integrated screenings into their employee health programmes.

One of the biggest advantages of the solution is its portability. Whether it’s a corporate medical room, a rural outreach van, or a conference setting, Niramai’s mobile units and compact devices bring advanced screening to wherever women are.

Hospitals like Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Apollo, and Narayana Health have adopted the solution. Across the country and now globally, this AI-first, privacy-safe screening model is helping to close the healthcare access gap.

Geetha closed her session with powerful reflections. “Dream big, anything is possible. But there are no shortcuts. It takes resilience, especially when the world turns upside down."

Her message to leaders: Encourage your people to pursue meaningful problems. “When your goal is larger than personal gain, when it’s about impact, you will find the strength to persist, learn, and lead.” Given the time of perpetual transformation, that might be the most enduring insight of all.