UK Plans to Invest £250m in new AI lab to deliver enhanced healthcare

The UK Department of Health and Social Care said that the government is set to invest £250m in a new national artificial intelligence laboratory (AI lab) for the NHS to deliver enhanced healthcare through improved diagnosis and screening capabilities.

The new AI lab is expected to help solve some of the toughest challenges faced by the UK healthcare, said the department.

To be located within NHSX, the AI Lab will bring together the best academics in the industry, specialists and technology firms to work on earlier cancer detection, new dementia treatments and more personalised care among other challenges.

The AI lab, which will be established in partnership with the Accelerated Access Collaborative, will enable the government to implement its plans for the healthcare system within safe and ethical boundaries, and accelerate the work to provide benefits to more people, patients and staff.

According to the department, artificial intelligence is delivering some great and practical uses ranging from changing traffic lights for the free flow of ambulances in Liverpool, to helping in the design of customised spinal splints for children with disabilities within days rather than weeks. The two examples have been devised and developed by small British digital health firms looking to use technology for good in healthcare, said the department.

Furthermore, the department said that progress in the last two years has shown that the opportunities presented by the disruptive technology for saving money, enhancing care, and saving lives are huge and should not be wasted.

As per the department, a lot more needs to be done to fully exploit the benefits of artificial intelligence that can enhance the ability of clinical teams across the NHS.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “Carefully targeted AI is now ready for practical application in health services, and the investment announced today is another step in the right direction to help the NHS become a world leader in using these important technologies.

“In the first instance it should help personalise NHS screening and treatments for cancer, eye disease and a range of other conditions, as well as freeing up staff time, and our new NHS AI Lab will ensure the benefits of NHS data and innovation are fully harnessed for patients in this country.”

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