Midjourney Scanner: The need for MRIs could vanish in the future. Midjourney has developed a scanner capable of performing AI-driven full-body scans, with results claimed to be on par with MRIs.

Midjourney Scanner: Will MRIs become obsolete, replaced by AI-powered full-body scans? This question arises because Midjourney—a company renowned for its AI image generation models—has unveiled a new scanner. Regarding this medical device, dubbed the "Midjourney Scanner," the company claims it can deliver MRI-quality results in a fraction of the time without emitting any radiation. Notably, tech companies have increasingly focused on AI hardware in recent times.

How will the Midjourney Scanner work?

Midjourney CEO David Holz has described the project as "weird and crazy," yet "brilliant and full of promise." The company's scanner is an ultrasonic device that uses sensors to scan the entire body; the process requires the user to stand in water for one minute. The company explains that the device's sensors transmit ultrasonic waves into the body from various angles. These waves capture vertical cross-sections of the body's interior, creating a 3D map of muscles, fat, bones, and organs. Comprehensive data regarding the body's interior can be gathered during the scan. The CEO claims that, in many respects, the scanner delivers image quality comparable to that of an MRI.

No risk of radiation

Since the scanner utilizes sound waves and water, it generates neither radiation nor magnetic fields. Consequently, it is considered safer than an MRI. While an MRI scan takes between 30 and 90 minutes, this scanner can complete the task in just one minute. The company aims to transform the full-body scanning experience into something akin to a spa visit.

When will the Midjourney Scanner be available?

The scanner is currently in its early stages and has not yet been clinically verified. The company states that while it will require US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for diagnostic medical use, it will launch with body composition mapping—a feature likely to receive approval sooner. Next year, the company plans to open a "Midjourney Spa" in San Francisco where the scanner will be deployed; each spa will house 10 such scanners. The company intends to expand the number of these spas by 2028 and is working towards a target of making 50,000 scanners available over the next six years.