This teen-built an AI which recommends nearby Doctor one needs to consult.

Namaskara! I am Rahul K.s, a second-year Information Science student at Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET) in Davanagere. Right now, I’m sitting in my hostel, but my mind is constantly racing into the future of technology. You see, I didn't just want to follow the syllabus; I saw that Artificial Intelligence is booming, so I started teaching myself through YouTube. Something fascinating about me? Even when I’m on a road trip, I’m looking at cameras on the roadside and wondering how they predict car counts. I’m just a guy who wants to build things that actually work!

The Problem: Lost in the Hospital Hallway

Have you ever felt totally confused when you or a loved one is sick?. You have specific symptoms, but you have no idea which specialist to go to. There are so many doctors, and patients often waste time going to the wrong ones.

My mission is simple: I want to help patients find exactly the right doctor based on their specific symptoms. This isn't just for techies; it’s for every common person who feels lost in a medical emergency.

My 'Why': A Story from My Own Home

This isn't just a college project for me; it’s personal. A while ago, my relative suffered from very high blood pressure. In that moment of panic, we didn't know which specific doctor to consult or where to find the nearest specialist for his symptoms. We were so confused and scared. That’s when it hit me: I need to build a model that predicts the nearest doctor if a user just enters their symptoms and address. I don’t want anyone else to feel that helplessness.

The Solution: AI to the Rescue!

My project is a Doctor Recommendation App. It’s very simple: you give your symptoms and your location, and the app predicts the top five nearest doctors for you. Why did I use AI? Because honestly, in today's world, doing something this complex without AI is almost impossible. It needs that "intelligence" to understand symptoms and match them correctly.

Inside the AI App: The Tech Breakdown

Let’s talk tech for a second. I used Python to write the code. For the brains of the app, I used the Scikit-learn (Sklearn) library and a Linear Regression algorithm. I also used Pandas to handle the dataset. To make sure the model handles both numbers and text correctly, I built a Pipeline. Finally, I deployed the whole thing using a platform called Render.

The Reality Check: Challenges & Failures

I'll be honest with you, it’s not perfect yet. Right now, I am using "fake" or random data generated from ChatGPT to test the model. One of my biggest challenges is getting authentic, high-quality medical data. As my interviewer pointed out, health data is sensitive, and using wrong data can be an ethical issue. So, my current failure is that it's not "quality proof" yet, but I am researching websites to find 100% authentic data sets now.

AI Readiness Skills

Collaboration & Critical Thinking

I didn't do this entirely alone. My college teacher, Puneet B.H. sir, has been a huge support. Even though he isn't an AI specialist, his motivation kept me going. Is my solution the best? Well, the idea came entirely from my own mind after seeing my family’s struggle. I didn't copy it from anywhere else; it’s an innovative idea born from a real-life problem.

Online Learning & Online Reputation: 'Code with Rahul'

Everything I know, I learned online. My "Gurus" are YouTube channels like CodeBasics and Engineering Kannada. I even started my own YouTube channel called "Code with Rahul". Why? To improve my communication and show the world what I am building. I’ve also posted about my doctor recommendation project on LinkedIn to build my online reputation.

The Future: Scaling Up

My next step is to get real-time data and launch Version 2.0 of the app. I want to talk to doctors and hospitals and ask them to recommend this platform to their patients. I have big entrepreneurial dreams for this.

My advice to young AI Innovators? Treat AI like your friend. Design an AI agent that motivates you and advises you daily, like a "bestie" who helps you grow.

My Inspiration

Besides Puneet Sir, the person who really inspires me is Sundar Pichai. Seeing a fellow Indian lead Google is proof that we can achieve anything with tech.

I’m just getting started. Give me one year, and I’ll invite you all to my own podcast!. Until then, keep experimenting!

This story is interviewed & written by Shubhi Dubey, heading India's Got Intelligence Stories. One can reach out to her on LinkedIn or shubhi@imature.in.