Healthcare NExT is one of Microsoft’s newest initiatives focused on integrating research with health technology development and establishing a model for future health industry collaborations. This venture includes investments in resources for Microsoft’s partners to explore opportunities for AI in healthcare.
Its first planned partnership is with Pittsburgh-based UPMC and involves a series of projects beginning with a transformation of clinician empowerment and productivity.
“With UPMC’s long track record of clinical and commercial innovation and Microsoft’s expertise in advanced AI capabilities, the two organizations plan to work together to bring innovative new solutions to market, beginning with implementation at UPMC,” Peter Lee, PhD, corporate vice president for Microsoft Research NExT, wrote in a company blog post.
“Despite UPMC’s efforts to stay on the leading edge of technology, too often our clinicians and patients feel as though they’re serving the technology rather than the other way around. With Microsoft, we have a shared vision of empowering clinicians by reducing the burden of electronic paperwork and allowing the doctor to focus on the sacred doctor-patient relationship,” said Steven Shapiro, MD, chief medical and scientific officer of UMPC and president of UPMC’s Health Services division.
Additional partnerships include HealthVault Insights, a research-based project that aims to allow partners to gain insight on their health, care plans and encourage engagement by deploying machine learning. Microsoft Genomics, which has partnered with BE Platforms and DNAnexus, is using an Azure-powered genome analysis to streamline genome processing, and a number of health plans and exploring Microsoft’s AI health chatbot technology which is currently in its research stage.
“We are incredibly energized about the opportunities to make a difference in healthcare. We’ve been listening carefully to our customers and partners within the healthcare sector, and we’ve heard their message: Let’s work together, innovate together and create solutions that can empower people to lead healthier lives,” Dr. Lee wrote.
Click here to read more about Microsoft’s strides into the healthcare space.
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