Cleveland Clinic Announces New Fellowship in Quantum Computing and AI
Cleveland Clinic and the Novo Nordisk Foundation have announced a new academic partnership focused on leading-edge IT research and its clinical applications. The three-year opportunity is targeted at early-career investigators working at the intersection of quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine.
WHY IT MATTERS
Quantum sensors and AI-driven analytics could improve diagnostics, increasing accuracy and reducing diagnostic time, according to a statement from the health system and foundation on Monday.
Over the next three years, NNF will fund up to $6.2 million for 12 researchers working at both institutions to conduct research in diagnostics, drug development, personalized medicine and more.
Dr. Lara Jehi, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Research Information Officer, said in a statement that the fellowship collaboration is part of efforts to support future biomedical researchers who can use data and technology to benefit patients and science.
“By joining forces, we aim to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies and artificial intelligence into clinical settings, ushering in a new era of medical innovation that combines the best of both institutions,” she said.
Internships in industry are also offered to researchers.
The health system and the foundation announced Monday that they will encourage researchers to consider three- to six-month internships in industry to gain hands-on experience and explore the development of market-ready applications.
While in Cleveland, the fellows will also have the opportunity to collaborate with IBM researchers who are already working with the health system through the Discovery Accelerator program.
THE BIGGER TREND
Because developing quantum computing algorithms could solve healthcare challenges, startups are collaborating with researchers at the Cleveland Clinic through the Clinic Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program.
Similarly, health systems are using AI to transform healthcare and improve health outcomes, generating a lot of excitement, said Dr. Carrie Nelson, Chief Medical Officer at telemedicine technology and services company Amwell, Healthcare IT News last year.
While there are risks to using AI, and healthcare needs to strengthen data models “if AI is to realize its potential to support healthcare workers in improving the quality of care,” she said. “More experience is needed with AI-enabled care models to understand what is possible, what is not, and how to put the right guardrails in place.”
ON THE RECORD
“The NNF and Cleveland Clinic collaboration is designed to enable the use of cutting-edge, critical technologies, such as quantum technology and AI, in biomedical research and practical clinical applications to advance disease understanding and improve patient outcomes,” said Lene Oddershede, senior vice president and chief of NNF’s natural and engineered care division.
Andrea Fox is Editor-in-Chief of Healthcare IT News.
Email address: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS Media.
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