A new AI platform that provides round-the-clock, personalized care for hypertension patients was launched on Saturday, offering a potential solution to the "silent killer" that affects millions worldwide.

The platform, named Dr. PAI (Personalized AI Doctor), was developed by a team led by Zhang Yuanting, founder of the Hong Kong Institute of Medical Engineering and chief scientist at Guangdong Medical University. The launch date was chosen to coincide with the seventh Pi Day to symbolize the platform's data-driven approach to chronic care.

Dr. PAI is the world's first platform to integrate wearable blood pressure monitors (in this case, a finger ring), AI doctor avatars, and Large Language Models. This combination creates a closed-loop health management system that covers continuous monitoring, intelligent consultation, risk warnings, and personalized intervention suggestions.

"The danger of hypertension lies in its potential to become a 'silent killer' due to lack of management and lack of awareness," said Liu Lisheng, the first president of the Chinese Hypertension League, who also served as former president of the World Hypertension League.

According to Liu, the emergence of Dr. PAI means that patients everywhere can have access to a 24/7 AI personal doctor, making early detection, prediction, prevention, diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation easily accessible.

Sun Ningling, chair of the Hypertension Branch of the China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care (CPAM), said it isn't a matter of will that prevents many patients from seeking treatment. What they lack is continuous, professional, and accessible health guidance.

The system incorporates a medical knowledge base, including thousands of hypertension screening and prevention questions. Its built-in avatars integrate diagnostic logic, risk identification principles, and standardized diagnosis and treatment processes derived from medical experts.

Zhang said Dr. PAI was spearheaded by his team in collaboration with multiple institutions, including the Chinese Hypertension League, CPAM, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Guangdong Medical University.

With applications ranging from community medical services to home-based care for older adults, Dr. PAI represents a possible step forward in chronic disease management. Liu expressed hope that the platform would play a growing role in the prevention and treatment of hypertension and other chronic conditions.