TBRI participates in a New Global Scientific Achievement: The First Worldwide Study of Its Kind to Evaluate Multilingual AI in Educating Colorectal Cancer Patients
In a new international scientific achievement that reinforces the position of Egyptian research on the global map of medical innovation and reflects the advanced international standing of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) and its pioneering role in supporting applied research with global impact, the Institute announced the publication of a high-level scientific study featuring the participation of Professor Dr. Ibrahim Mostafa Ibrahim, Professor of hepatogastroenterology and Endoscopy at TBRI. He is one of the Institute’s distinguished scientists, a recipient of the State Appreciation Award, and holder of the Master title—the highest honor in the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy—awarded by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the world’s leading authority in this specialty.
The study was published in the international Q1-ranked journal "Digestive and Liver Disease" on December 22, 2025, confirming the high scientific value, novelty, and global impact of the research, and providing further evidence of the Institute’s commitment to its national and international role in advancing medical knowledge and translating it into practical solutions that serve human health.
This study is the first of its kind worldwide in the field of gastroenterology and colorectal cancer to evaluate the performance of multilingual large language AI models in responding to patients’ questions about early screening for colorectal cancer—a qualitative step that enhances patient empowerment and improves the quality of healthcare worldwide.
The study was conducted between April and June 2025, with participation of 28 countries across six continents. It evaluated the performance of ChatGPT (GPT-4o) in 23 different languages, based on responses to 15 common patient questions related to colorectal cancer screening, disease stages, risks, and diagnostic and treatment options.
A total of 140 international experts, including leading gastroenterologists, assessed the responses using rigorous scientific criteria encompassing accuracy, completeness, and clarity, based on a validated scientific scale. The results demonstrated high global average scores across these parameters, confirming the model’s promising potential to support patient education in their native languages and to reduce linguistic and cultural barriers that hinder adherence to early screening programs.
The study also revealed subtle differences among languages and certain regional variations, representing an important scientific contribution that underscores the necessity of contextual and linguistic validation prior to large-scale clinical implementation. These findings provide policymakers with robust, evidence-based tools to support informed decision-making.
In this context, Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director and Chairman of the Board of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, emphasized that this research represents a qualitative leap in supporting healthcare systems through the use of modern digital technologies as auxiliary tools for medical decision-making and for raising patient awareness on solid scientific foundations. He noted that its true value lies in its ability to align technological innovation with real healthcare needs, thereby improving service efficiency and reducing gaps caused by linguistic and cultural differences. He also highlighted that the study reflects the competence of Egyptian researchers and their capacity to participate in international research with tangible impact.
He added that publication in a prestigious Q1 international journal reflects the advanced scientific standing of the Institute and confirms the success of its strategy in supporting interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, particularly research with practical and applied dimensions. It also highlights the pioneering role of the Institute’s scientists in producing scientific knowledge with global humanitarian impact.
He concluded by stressing that this work represents an advanced step toward the safe, scientific, and well-regulated use of artificial intelligence in supporting prevention strategies and early disease detection, with positive implications for improving healthcare quality at both regional and international levels. The study stands as an honorable model of Egyptian scientific research capable of leadership and innovation, contributing to the consolidation of Egypt’s position as a regional and international hub for scientific and research excellence.




