The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs last month launched the National Artificial Intelligence Institute, which applies AI research and developments to advance veterans' healthcare, according to a Dec. 5 news release.
Four things to know:
1. The institute will extract data insights from veterans as well as VA's partners across federal agencies, industry, nonprofits and academic organizations.
2. VA has gathered data on veterans, including 800,000 veteran volunteers. for the agency's genomic database, according to Politico.
3. A joint initiative between VA's Office of Research and Development and Secretary's Center for Strategic Partnership, the institute will also work with partners such as Google and other technology companies to create AI tools for VA research, the institute's director Gil Alterovitz, told Politico.
4. VA uses AI in various ways to improve veterans' care, including reducing appointment wait times, identifying individuals at high risk for suicide and helping physicians interpret cancer lab test results and choose effective therapies.