Founder of SLOSH AI Solutions
(Systems with Life-changing and Optimal Solutions for Humanity)
A Startup of National Incubation Center
“Healthcare sector of Pakistan is lacking behind in so many ways and needs special attention to cater to the growing technological needs. SLOSH was the realization of our idea to be able to early diagnose the medical ailments in order to do the required treatments at a very initial stage to contain the condition”
Safety & Security Today had a conversation with Aiman Khan – Founder of SLOSH AI Solutions which is a startup of National Incubation Center.
Safety & Security Today (S&ST): Please tell us about your educational background and why did you choose Articifical Intelligence (AI) as a career?
Aiman Khan (AK): Talking of my educational career, I did my Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Machine Learning and Image Processing. I am an ex-student of FAST-NUCES. Choosing Articifical Intelligence (AI) as my future career was solely based on my interest, dedication to learn and get into the future prospects of AI. After the completion of my MS, I started working towards my long-awaited goal and founded Systems with Life-changing and Optimal Solutions for Humanity (SLOSH) AI Solutions.
S&ST: What is SLOSH AI Solutions and what inspired you to start this venture?
AK: SLOSH AI Solutions is a startup working on creating assistive AI tools for reading chest X-Rays. The motivation behind SLOSH was a very tragic incident that I suffered from. While I was doing my MS, I lost a very close family member in their fight with cancer due to late diagnosis. This saddening event made me realize that the healthcare sector of Pakistan is lacking behind in so many ways and needs special attention to cater to the growing technological needs. Therefore, I took charge of creating assistive tools that can improve with the diagnostics, patient safety and in the greater context, health care system of Pakistan. In this way, SLOSH was the realization of our idea to be able to early diagnose the medical ailments in order to do the required treatments at a very initial stage to contain the condition. I took charge rather than complaining because we cannot conquer today’s problems with the infrastructure that was deployed in 1960s.
S&ST: How did you identify the market gap while creating SLOSH AI?
AK: We identified that there is a major need for the digitalization of Pakistan’s healthcare sector. Countries like Israel, UK, India, etc. have companies working in the healthcare sector with IP, FDA certifications providing AI solutions but the cost of these solutions is drastically high. Upon research, I figured out that these solutions can be easily built with the right resources at a very cost effective rate and can be provided to the leading hospitals in Pakistan.
S&ST: What are your thoughts on the digitalization of Pakistan’s healthcare sector?
AK: Pakistan’s healthcare sector requires special focus and attention in order to meet the growing needs. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s Medical Sector is running on the same patterns on which it was running 30 years back. No doubt we have upgraded the buildings, interiors, equipment but the core system is still the same. Pakistan and specifically its healthcare sector need AI to revamp the core system to facilitate the doctors as well as the patients. This revolutionary digitalization is the need of the hour as it can improve healthcare solutions and decrease human error in the detection of health issues.
S&ST: In what ways can we upgrade and compete with the international healthcare sector?
AK: Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries around the world, and also has the potential to radically alter the field of healthcare. This potential has been recognized by the world and a lot of progress is underway but Pakistan is lagging in realizing the prospect of this domain. In order to upgrade and compete with the international healthcare system, the key factor is ‘collaborations.’
We need to collaborate with international healthcare providers and engineers working in this domain to assist us in the upgradation and provide insightful knowledge in this regard.
S&ST: How do you foresee the future in AI and its practical implementation in many sectors in Pakistan? What is the market potential?
AK: AI in Pakistan is a long awaited dream that is taking its course now. Pakistan has a huge amount of untapped potential when it comes to AI. The prospects of AI in the Pakistani market are enormous and can do wonders but the one thing holding us back is the acceptance gap and it is way higher when it comes to the healthcare sector. The transition from conventional to the digitalized environment might seem difficult and hesitant at the start but once we are on the right path, the transition would be faster than we think and that would be an AI revolution for Pakistan.
S&ST: How has the journey at SLOSH AI been so far?
AK: Like every entrepreneur my journey was very tough at the start and being a female in this intrusive environment, it was like moving mountains when I started my journey. Doors were closed on my face and people were not willing to listen to what I am making. I did not back off, I struggled for data to test and run my algorithms but no one was willing to provide me with the opportunity. Then I got into NIC (National Incubation Centre), I got the much needed mentorship through which I was able to secure grants, investment and finally I built my product. In this uphill journey, I found my co-founder who is as much involved and anticipated as I am. After this struggle, the same people who refused to accept me and my opinions came looking for me, which I think is a great achievement for me.
