TL;DR:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) collaborates with the University of Alberta to democratize healthcare access using AI.
- Professor Lawrence Richer leads efforts to bring clinical trials to remote areas through digital technology.
- AWS’s cloud computing powers AI solutions, including medical scans diagnosis.
- The partnership fosters AI education and research, addressing talent shortages.
- AWS’s expansion in Alberta solidifies its commitment to AI innovation.
Main AI News:
Amazon Web Services and the University of Alberta have joined forces to enhance the accessibility of artificial intelligence (AI). Professor Lawrence Richer, a pediatric neurology expert and director of the Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre, recognized the need for robust computing capabilities from a cloud services provider to revolutionize healthcare accessibility in the province. Particularly relevant to Alberta’s vast geography is the challenge of enabling clinical trials for residents in remote areas like Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray. The solution lies in leveraging digital technology to transform the delivery of clinical trials.
However, transitioning from a researcher’s computer to a global platform necessitates the involvement of a technology leader with substantial computing resources. Richer emphasizes that true innovation in healthcare, particularly within the realm of artificial intelligence, requires a partner capable of supporting rapid progress, unburdened by the delays inherent in securing funding for IT equipment.
In response to this imperative, the University of Alberta has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish Artificial Intelligence Discovery Place. This initiative not only facilitates the delivery of medical services to homes while collecting invaluable patient data but also harnesses the power of AI to diagnose a myriad of conditions.
For instance, AI can assist radiologists in interpreting medical scans, accurately identifying the presence of diseases. This capability hinges on training AI models with tens of thousands of images, meticulously labeled by radiologists worldwide. Richer underscores the global reach of AWS in collaborating with medical institutions and researchers, underscoring the potential benefits for both the research and innovation communities.
Coral Kennett, Education Lead at AWS Canada, underscores the pivotal role of cloud flexibility in experimenting with AI and machine learning. Without the cloud, the development and training of AI models would remain prohibitively complex and expensive for most organizations.
Situated on the University of Alberta’s first-floor premises at Enterprise Square, this expansion leverages AWS Cloud computing technology to advance AI research and innovation. It offers U of A faculty and students a valuable opportunity to acquire AI expertise while devising solutions to address challenges across industry, government, and society.
This partnership arrives at a time when 83% of businesses anticipate employing AI-powered solutions, yet three-quarters struggle to recruit the necessary AI talent. Additionally, Canadian employers are willing to offer up to 25% higher salaries for candidates with AI skills. In light of these trends, the Artificial Intelligence Discovery Place aims to democratize access to AI technology, fostering groundbreaking research in all spheres of society.
This collaborative agreement represents the latest chapter in a growing relationship that originated in 2016 when the University of Alberta first teamed up with AWS. Subsequently, the U of A transitioned hundreds of websites and digital resources to the AWS Cloud, unifying its digital strategy and expanding its global influence. This move aligned with a long-standing strategic vision to establish the U of A as a global AI leader, culminating in the creation of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) in 2002.
President Bill Flanagan of the University of Alberta emphasizes the institution’s longstanding prominence in AI, machine learning, and data mining. This strength has played a pivotal role in shaping Alberta’s reputation as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. The partnership with Amazon Web Services augments the university’s visibility and resource access, raising the stakes in its pursuit of excellence.
This announcement follows AWS’s December 2023 launch of a new data center hub in Calgary, marking the first major cloud services provider with an infrastructure region in Western Canada. As AWS continues to expand its presence in Alberta, in conjunction with the University of Alberta, it reinforces Alberta’s position at the forefront of innovation in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Minister Nate Glubish of Technology and Innovation for Alberta lauds the collaboration, highlighting the state’s pioneering role in the field.
Conclusion:
The partnership between AWS and the University of Alberta signifies a significant step in making AI-driven healthcare more accessible. By addressing the demand for AI talent and leveraging cloud technology, this collaboration has the potential to transform the healthcare market, offering innovative solutions and expanding Alberta’s influence as a center for AI innovation.
