Mayo Clinic and Microsoft both announced this week that Mayo will be among the healthcare systems deployed first Microsoft 365 Copilota generative AI platform.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Rochester, Minnesota-based company will be one of the first participants in the Microsoft 365 Copilot Early Access program – offering its physicians and staff the opportunity to test artificial intelligence technology, which combines large language models with Microsoft 365 apps – calendars, emails, chats, documents and more – to enable improved productivity and reduce administrative burden.
Mayo Clinic says it is hopeful that new and emerging generative AI applications can help doctors and nurses automate form-filling tasks and other time-consuming administrative work that distracts from patients’ attention.
“Privacy, ethics and security are at the forefront of Mayo Clinic’s work with generative AI and large language models,” said Cris Ross, Mayo’s Chief Information Officer, in a statement. “Using AI-powered technology will enhance Mayo Clinic’s ability to lead healthcare transformation while focusing on what matters most: providing the best possible care to our patients.”
THE BIG TREND
Ross has been convinced of the transformative potential of “big AI” and “small AI” for years, even before generative models and LLMs were widely integrated. The automations made possible by the partnership with Microsoft are an example of the latter: innovation for the “little tools,” systems and productivity apps that impact doctors’ work and workflows every day, as he described them in 2019 .
More recently, Mayo Clinic announced last summer that it is pursuing other generative AI work with Google, such as enterprise search to help unify data across distributed documents, databases and intranets, making it easier to search, analyze and identify the most relevant results.
ON THE RECORD
“Microsoft 365 Copilot has the power to transform work in virtually every industry, so people can focus on the work that matters most and drive their organizations forward,” said Colette Stallbaumer, general manager of Microsoft 365 about the new Copilot Early Access Program . “We’re excited to help customers like Mayo Clinic achieve their goals.”
Mike Miliard is editor-in-chief of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.