In the UK, an AI system developed at the University of Surrey can predict what a patient's knee X-ray will look like a year in the future, offering a visual forecast alongside a risk score for osteoarthritis progression.

The technology is designed to help both patients and doctors better understand how the condition may develop, allowing earlier and more informed treatment decisions.

Trained on nearly 50,000 knee X-rays from almost 5,000 patients, the system delivers faster and more accurate predictions than existing AI tools.

It uses a generative diffusion model to produce a future X-ray and highlights 16 key points in the joint, giving clinicians transparency and confidence in the areas monitored. Patients can compare their current and predicted X-rays, which can encourage adherence to treatment plans and lifestyle changes.

Researchers hope the technology could be adapted for other chronic conditions, including lung disease in smokers or heart disease progression, providing similar visual insights.

The team is seeking partnerships to integrate the system into real-world clinical settings, potentially transforming how millions of people manage long-term health conditions.