For the past two years, Tess Watt, a PhD candidate in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences based in Edinburgh, has developed AI-driven tools to diagnose skin conditions, most notably skin cancer, in areas with limited medical infrastructure. Her goal is to enable early detection without the need for direct access to dermatologists, using accessible technology that could be deployed anywhere from rural Scotland to West Africa.

Healthcare from home is a really important topic at the moment, especially as GP wait times continue to grow, said Tess. If we can empower people to monitor skin conditions from their own homes using AI, we can dramatically reduce delays in diagnosis. Tess is leading the pioneering research in a broader collaborative effort involving academics at the London South Bank University, Edinburgh Napier University and the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hallas in Greece.

It is understood to be the first research project of its kind to combine AI medical diagnosis with the aim of serving remote communities. A prototype of her system has already been demonstrated at Heriot-Watt’s advanced health and care technologies suite, showcasing how AI can analyse images of skin lesions and flag potential risks for further medical review. What sets the system apart is its ability to work without the need for internet access.

Using low-cost Raspberry Pi devices, the technology can diagnose a skin condition whilst working independently of WiFi. A Raspberry Pi can be thought of as a handheld portable computer that is energy efficient and capable of storing a vast amount of information in its memory. The findings are then shared with a local GP service to begin a suitable treatment plan.

Source: https://www.hw.ac.uk/news/2025/phd-researcher-harnesses-ai-to-transform-skin-cancer-diagnosis-in-remote-areas