Midjourney’s medical imaging pivot draws skepticism over lack of evidence

Midjourney, the AI startup best known for its image generator, announced a futuristic ultrasound scanner that would submerge users in a vat of water to generate internal body scans. The company positioned the device as producing "something as powerful as MRI" yet "as casual as a trip to the spa," aiming to help people "live longer, better, and healthier lives." CEO David Holz suggested the system could one day outperform MRI, though experts remain skeptical.

Medical imaging specialists told The Verge they were not dismissive of the idea outright but emphasized that Midjourney has provided little public evidence to substantiate its goals. The technology, while novel in its design, relies on well-understood principles of ultrasound imaging, which have long-standing limits. Experts questioned the feasibility of achieving MRI-level detail and the clinical value of frequent scans, particularly without rigorous validation.

Midjourney’s head of medical, Tom Calloway, stated the scanner uses AI and specialized chips to handle "unthinkably huge amounts of data and processing power" required for scans. He also claimed AI enables "lossless compression and dramatically speed up processing." However, the company did not provide benchmarks, peer-reviewed studies, or third-party validation to support these assertions.

The scanner is initially framed as a wellness tool rather than a medical device, avoiding immediate FDA clearance and clinical trial requirements. Midjourney plans to embed the machines in spas, where scans would become "a side-effect" of visits. Concept images depict luxurious settings, contrasting sharply with traditional clinical environments.

Radiologists and clinicians interviewed by The Verge described the concept as "genuinely exciting" but stressed that the idea is not as novel as Midjourney suggests. They raised basic questions about execution, including the fidelity of images, the number of scans the device can perform, and the long-term clinical benefits. The company’s comparisons to MRI and claims about reducing healthcare costs lack supporting evidence, according to experts.

The scanner uses sound waves transmitted through water to generate internal images, a process likened to dolphin echolocation. Midjourney claims the scan would take "no more than 60 seconds," compared to typical ultrasounds that can last 30 minutes or longer. However, the company did not provide data on image resolution, diagnostic accuracy, or patient outcomes to justify these claims.