Vet-AI’s automated triage tool outperforms leading AI models in clinical testing

Leeds-based animal healthcare startup Vet-AI has announced the results of its latest testing, revealing that its new automated triage tool outperforms Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT in both clinical accuracy and triage effectiveness.

In a blind comparison conducted in April 2025, vets reviewed 48 simulated pet-owner conversations generated by Vet-AI, Gemini 2.0 and ChatGPT 4.0. The vets evaluated each on clinical accuracy, triage effectiveness and the subjective criteria of factuality, integrity, safety, empathy and readability.

Vet-AI’s Large Language Model (LLM) achieved an accuracy score of 81%, surpassing Gemini (69%) and ChatGPT (50%). Vet-AI’s model also stopped triage at the correct point in 81% of cases according to the vets, compared with Gemini’s 75% and ChatGPT’s 56%.

Vet-AI’s tool also outperformed the leading LLMs on subjective measures, delivering more empathetic, thorough and factual responses to pet owners.

Vet-AI’s automated triage product is trained on more than 400,000 video vet consultations from UK licensed vets. In total, Vet-AI has collected more than 4 billion data points during the development process. The live model is undergoing continuous development, allowing Vet-AI to closely monitor performance, gather feedback and work alongside veterinary experts to constantly refine the model. This ensures it meets the highest standards of clinical care and responsible AI use.

The automated triage tool can provide instant, accurate advice to pet owners, making it easier to access trusted veterinary care online. By combining advanced AI with clinical expertise, it enables pet owners to access 24/7 guidance, early detection of health issues and advise them if they need to speak to a vet.

Automated triage is the latest product in Vet-AI’s mission to make pet care more accessible and affordable. It opens vet care up to more pet owners, helping them get reliable advice and triage pets into the correct level of care.

“These latest results are a significant milestone in the development of automated triage. We’re proving we can provide trustworthy online pet care by combining clinical and technical expertise. This tool can support the wider industry too, engaging more pet owners in the first step of vet care, ensuring their pets get the care they need - whether in practice or remotely. We know that an increasing percentage of the UK pet population is struggling to access veterinary care. Whilst AI will never replace a vet, the use of innovative technology can break down the barrier to access, leading to more pets getting the care they need, when they need it,” said Samantha Webster, Chief Veterinary Officer at Vet-AI.

“With this level of clinical accuracy and technical innovation, we're helping to bring great pet care to more people. As well as helping to create more demand for vet services by making the triage of pets as accurate as possible,” said Paul Hallett, Vet-AI founder and exec chair.

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Editors notes

Founded in early 2017 by tech expert Paul Hallett and experienced veterinarian Robert Dawson, Vet-AI is an R&D company developing a number of solutions that focus on supporting pets, vets and giving pet parents the tools to access care more affordably and conveniently when their pets need it most.

The company’s flagship brand Joii is set to launch in April 2019. Built by a team of experts with cutting-edge, bespoke technology, Joii is an app for pet parents to diagnose and receive recommended treatment for pets from the comfort of their home. Dedicated to improving and updating the animal health industry in-line with some of the ground-breaking innovations seen in human health, Paul approached one of the largest animal health companies in the UK and met his business partner, Robert Dawson.

The founders spent 18 months researching and understanding what pet parents’ needs are, and what technology is currently available for pet diagnosis. The more research Paul and Robert carried out, the more exciting their idea became.

Investors in people, the co-founders have built a team of industry experts including vets, PhD level data scientists, and technology programmers. The team consists of OBE award-winning entrepreneur Jonathan Sands alongside chief data scientist Trevor Hardcastle, a renowned computational solid-state physicist and frequent presenter at international conferences with 19 published papers to his name. Also joining the company is one of the most highly regarded veterinary dermatologists in the UK, Sarah Warren, former head of AI at push doctor Josh Sephton, and Monocle- and Forbes-featured designer Guy Buchan. With more than £500,000 investment from co-founder Robert, £100,000 investment from law firm Lupton Fawcett and £175,000 from award-winning design studio Elmwood, the firm will be seeking further investment in 2019 to support its continued growth. The firm, which launched in the UK in 2019, has its sights set on going global; Australia and the US next, followed by Europe and Asia. It has already received recognition across the UK, reaching the final in Tech Nation’s Rising Star awards and nominated for ‘Innovation’ and ‘Newcomer’ in the upcoming Yorkshire Business Masters awards. The company plans to partner with charities in the near future, with animal welfare at the forefront of Vet AI. Co-founders Paul and Robert are keen to donate part of the firm's profits to mental health and animal welfare organisations. Paul and Robert are looking to employ another 30 people in 2019 and are set on continually developing the company's AI technology to automate diagnosis, improve healthcare, and enhance how our pets live.

View the website at www.vet-ai.com and follow the consumer app on Twitter @Joii_app.