AI4HEALTH - towards better patient care, prevention, and research with data and AI
The national AI4HEALTH program aims to improve the use of AI in all sectors of healthcare. Led by Prof. Dr. Carl Moons from the UMC Utrecht dozens of partners collaborate to one goal: the application and scaling up of reliable, effective, and safe AI that becomes an integral part of healthcare. With this, the project hopes to improve not only healthcare but also the quality of life of Dutch citizens and patients.
From standalone solutions to a better system
“AI4HEALTH focuses not on isolated solutions, but on improving the entire healthcare system using AI,” Carl emphasizes. Therefore, the program looks not only at the entire care process, but also at all the steps required to develop and use AI. This involves collecting and securely using data, developing and testing AI, and applying, reimbursing, and maintaining it.
AI4HEALTH focuses on disease areas where the impact of AI is significant: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia, mental disorders, and regenerative medicine.
Within these domains, AI4HEALTH develops, tests, and implements many concrete AI applications in real-world healthcare practice: from the hospital to the home setting. “At the same time, the program is building secure ways to share and use data,” says Carl. “Clear guidelines are also being developed for the responsible use of AI in healthcare.”
Broad consortium, large investment
Collaboration is the guiding principle of AI4HEALTH. In addition to NWO, the major national program is co-funded by a broad network of parties. Within the program, researchers from university medical centers, technical universities, universities of applied sciences, and other knowledge institutions collaborate with teaching and general hospitals, health funds, and many data and innovation partners, including medical technology and pharmaceutical companies.
Patient organizations, insurers, and policymakers are also involved. Due to the direct involvement of all relevant parties, AI4HEALTH's data and AI solutions align better with daily healthcare practice and with laws and regulations. Business partners contribute knowledge regarding the development and testing of innovations. Health funds contribute financially and safeguard societal relevance.
Finally, AI4HEALTH is supported by a broad group of strategic partners from healthcare, research, innovation, education, and policy. “They all ensure alignment with national initiatives and strengthen the impact and applicability of the program,” emphasizes Carl.
“Through this intensive collaboration across the entire chain, AI4HEALTH can not only develop and test innovations, but also actually implement and scale them up in daily care,” he concludes.