Future of HIV diagnostics: Experts chart a path forward
A new review in The Lancet HIV, co-authored by Dr. Nitika Pant Pai, highlights innovative tools—from AI to quantum diagnostics—poised to shape the future of HIV care.
SOURCE: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute)
A new perspective article published in The Lancet HIV offers a bold vision for the future of HIV diagnostics. Led by Nitika Pant Pai, M.D., Senior Scientist at The Institute, and Trevor Peter, PhD, Senior Director, Diagnostics at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the perspective provides a timely overview of how innovative technologies—including artificial intelligence, digital health tools, wearable devices, and even quantum diagnostics—are poised to reshape HIV prevention, diagnosis, and care in the years ahead.
The article highlights shrinking global HIV funding and persistent service gaps for underserved populations. It underscores the critical role of innovative diagnostics in helping to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets—ensuring most people with HIV are diagnosed, treated, and achieve viral suppression.
"This article is forward-looking roadmap of promising diagnostic innovations that align with global HIV targets," said Dr. Pant Pai, a member of the Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program and the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at The Institute. "We highlight how integrating diagnostics with digital health, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies could transform all- patient care, community care and public health strategies, and help reshape the trajectory of care in an era of declining funding for HIV control worldwide."
The perspective outlines a wide array of emerging technologies that are increasingly relevant in this context. Among them are omics-based diagnostics, machine learning tools, wearable biosensors, metaverse-linked care platforms, and even future-facing approaches such as quantum diagnostics. These innovations could dramatically improve how individuals are tested, diagnosed, and retained in care, particularly in low-resource settings where traditional health systems are often under strain.
"Over the past 40 years, diagnostics has been a pillar of HIV disease control, driven by successive innovations in technology and healthcare delivery approaches," added Trevor Peter. "Diagnostics will likely be even more important in the coming years to close the remaining persistent gaps in access to HIV care, to lower costs and improve efficiency, and to make HIV control sustainable over the long term."
Next Step: advancing HIV diagnostics
Without sustained commitment to equity and inclusion, many of these technologies may not reach the populations that need them most. The authors also stress the importance of cross-sector collaboration to ensure that innovation leads to real-world impact. The successful implementation of these technologies will require not only scientific readiness but also significant investments in infrastructure, digital literacy, workforce development, and long-term health system financing. As diagnostic platforms evolve, one truth remains clear: equity is not optional—it is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
About the study
The future of HIV diagnostics: an exemplar in infectious diseases by Nitika Pant Pai, Rigveda Kadam, Ilesh Jani, Ruslan Malyuata and Trevor Peter was published in The Lancet HIV. This collaborative study brought together researchers and members from The Institute, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, UNICEF, and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde. This work was supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRSQ), the Gates Foundation and Unitaid.