Govt pledges $7.5m for AI health research

The federal government has announced $7.5 million in funding for research into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. The research is hoped to lead to improved clinical decision-making, new approaches in healthcare delivery and help patients better manage their health.

Minister for Health The Hon Greg Hunt MP explained that AI will be critical in transforming the future of health care through improved preventative, diagnostic and treatment approaches.

“We are providing these grants to researchers through the Medical Research Future Fund so they can help us fully understand the potential benefits of AI in health care,” Hunt said.

“Importantly, consumers will be involved in the research journey to ensure the research is applicable to the needs of the Australian community.”

AI is already used in other sectors and the scale of its use is set to increase as technology develops.

“AI for better health, aged-care and disability services was recently identified as one of the top three areas where Australia is well positioned to transform existing industries and build new ones, including opportunities to export solutions worldwide,” Hunt said.

“This investment also has the potential to maximise Australia’s capacity to attract and retain high-quality AI researchers and stay at the forefront of AI internationally.”

The Applied Artificial Intelligence Research in Health Grants are an initiative under the National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative.

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