UK Commits £13M to Cutting-Edge AI Healthcare Research

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By Ryan Daws
August 10, 2023
https://twitter.com/gadget_ry

Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Development, Healthcare, Legislation & Government, Machine Learning, Robotics

Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media with over a decade of experience in crafting compelling narratives and making complex topics accessible. His articles and interviews with industry leaders have earned him recognition as a key influencer by organisations like Onalytica. Under his leadership, publications have been praised by analyst firms such as Forrester for their excellence and performance.

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The UK’s Investment in AI Healthcare Research

The UK has announced a £13 million investment in cutting-edge AI research within the healthcare sector. This significant step forward marks a major milestone in harnessing the potential of AI to revolutionise healthcare.

The announcement, made by Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, empowers 22 winning projects across universities and NHS trusts from Edinburgh to Surrey to drive innovation and transform patient care.

The Potential of AI in Healthcare

Dr Antonio Espingardeiro, IEEEmember and software and robotics expert, comments: "As it becomes more sophisticated, AI can efficiently conduct tasks traditionally undertaken by humans. The potential for the technology within the medical field is huge – it can analyse vast quantities of information and, when coupled with machine learning, search through records and infer patterns or anomalies in data that would otherwise take decades for humans to analyse."

We are just starting to see the beginning of a new era where machine learning could bring substantial value and transform the traditional role of the doctor. The true capabilities of this technology as an aide to the healthcare sector are yet to be fully realised.

In the future, we may even be able to solve some of the biggest challenges and issues of our time. One of the standout projects receiving funding is the University College London’s Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences. With a grant exceeding £500,000, researchers aim to develop a semi-autonomous surgical robotics platform designed to enhance the removal of brain tumours.

This pioneering technology promises to elevate surgical outcomes, minimise complications, and expedite patient recovery times.

AI-Driven Breakthroughs in Healthcare

With the increased adoption of AI and robotics, we will soon be able to deliver the scalability that the healthcare sector needs and establish more proactive care delivery,’ added Espingardeiro.

University of Sheffield’s project, backed by £463,000, is focused on a crucial aspect of healthcare – chronic nerve pain. Their innovative approach aims to widen and improve treatments for this condition, which affects one in ten adults over 30.

The University of Oxford’s project, bolstered by £640,000, seeks to expedite research into a foundational AI model for clinical risk prediction. By analysing an individual’s existing health conditions, this AI model could accurately forecast the likelihood of future health problems and revolutionise early intervention strategies.

Meanwhile, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has secured £644,000 to develop a groundbreaking system that offers real-time feedback to trainee surgeons practising laparoscopy procedures.

This technology will enable surgeons to refine their skills in real-time, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced complications.

The AI Safety Summit

However, the announcement was made the same week as NHS waiting lists hit a record high. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made reducing waiting lists one of his five key priorities for 2023 on which to hold him ‘to account directly for whether it is delivered.’ Hope is being pinned on technologies like AI to help tackle waiting lists.

This pivotal move is accompanied by the nation’s preparations to host the world’s first major international summit on AI safety, underscoring its commitment to responsible AI development. Scheduled for later this year, the AI safety summit will provide a platform for international stakeholders to collaboratively address AI’s risks and opportunities.

As Europe’s AI leader, and the third-ranking globally behind the USA and China, the UK is well-positioned to lead these discussions and champion the responsible advancement of AI technology.

See Also:

BSI publishes guidance to boost trust in AI for healthcare
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Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, health, healthcare, machine learning, robotics, uk

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