Microsoft on Jan. 29 unveiled AI for Health, a $40 million program that supports the use of artificial intelligence technology to advance medical research and solve global health issues.
The five-year program is Microsoft's latest addition to its AI for Good program, a $165 million research initiative that equips nonprofits and other organizations with advanced technologies to solve societal issues.
Led by John Kahan, chief data analytics officer at Microsoft, AI for Health will focus on three main areas:
1. Accelerating medical research to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
2. Increasing global health insights on areas such as mortality and longevity to protect against health crises.
3. Building health equity by improving access to care for underserved populations.
Through AI for Health, Microsoft's data scientists will collaborate with specific nonprofits and academic organizations. Participating organizations will also get access to Microsoft's AI tools and cloud computing, as well as select cash grants, through the program.