Cleveland Clinic launches AI program

Photo: Laurence Dutton/Getty Images

In a new initiative that blends quantum computing technologies and artificial intelligence with clinical applications, Cleveland Clinic and the Novo Nordisk Foundation have launched the Cleveland Clinic – Denmark: Quantum-AI Biomedical Frontiers Fellowship Program.

The program, crafted jointly by the Denmark-based NNF and Cleveland Clinic, is dedicated to integrating quantum technologies and AI into biomedical research and patient care, steering the application of these technologies into medical science and healthcare, according to Novo Nordisk.

According to Cleveland Clinic, Denmark's strategic dedication to quantum technologies and AI, supported by substantial investments from the NNF and bolstered by the Danish government, has fostered a dynamic ecosystem for pioneering technological research.

Cleveland Clinic is home to biomedical research currently supported by what the health system has called the world's only quantum computer fully dedicated to healthcare research, as part of its Discovery Accelerator partnership with IBM. According to the organization, its expertise in medical research and clinical innovation synergizes with Denmark's technological strengths, enhancing the overall impact and reach of the fellowship program.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

Novo Nordisk Foundation will grant up to Danish Krone (DKK) 43 million ($6.2 million USD) over the next three years to support the exchange of 12 researchers, providing them each with a three-year term to conduct high-level research either at Cleveland Clinic or in Denmark.

In Cleveland, the fellows will also have the opportunity to work with IBM researchers collaborating with Cleveland Clinic scientists through the Discovery Accelerator partnership.

The program leverages quantum technologies and AI around key scientific areas, including enhanced diagnostic precision, utilizing quantum sensing and AI-driven analytics to improve diagnostics, thereby increasing accuracy and reducing diagnostic times.

Another area of focus will be drug discovery – applying quantum computing and machine learning algorithms to simulate and predict molecular interactions, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with discovering new drugs.

Further elements of the program include employing data analysis tools to improve the design and efficiency of clinical trials, enabling more personalized medicine approaches; and using AI to analyze vast datasets from genomic information and clinical records to tailor treatments to individual patients.

In addition to a focus on academic research, the program also encourages applicants to consider industrial placements lasting three to six months with leading technology companies and startups. These placements are intended to provide practical experience and foster the translation of research innovations into market-ready medical solutions.

Early-stage researchers interested in quantum technologies or AI and medicine can visit the NNF webpage for more details about the application process.

THE LARGER TREND

The Congressional Budget Office in March determined that evidence on the usefulness of AI and machine learning in healthcare is mixed, especially when it comes to costs.

AI and ML tools might affect healthcare costs in the future in many ways, CBO said, including by detecting illness earlier or identifying patients who might benefit from preventive interventions. But while some uses of those tools might reduce costs by preventing the need for costlier care or eliminating unnecessary care, others might increase costs by spurring the development of expensive new technologies with meaningful health benefits, or by identifying additional patients who might benefit from certain medical services.

The practical application of these technologies is still inconsistent at this nascent phase – showing usefulness in predicting cancer mortality, but falling short when predicting heart failure outcomes. CBO said it will need to see more empirical evidence before determining the overall effect on healthcare spending.

The HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum is scheduled to take place Sept. 5-6 in Boston. Learn more and register.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.