VANCOUVER, BC, May 22, 2024
/CNW/ - Amidst a global race to harness the power of Artificial
Intelligence (AI), DIGITAL, Canada's Global Innovation Cluster for digital
technologies, is proud to enable and showcase transformative
solutions that are leveraging AI to make significant advances
across Canada's health space. This
includes $26M of recently announced
projects using AI to improve patient outcomes, increase access and
create a more sustainable Canadian health system.
Using AI to improve patient outcomes,
increase access and create a more sustainable Canadian health
system.
"Artificial Intelligence is redefining possibilities in
healthcare. Since our start in 2018, DIGITAL and our Members have
been committed to leveraging AI to deliver Canadians the rapidly
evolving benefits from innovative, accessible and effective
AI-supported health solutions," said Sue Paish, CEO of DIGITAL. "The technologies
emerging from our investments are crucial to delivering healthcare
services that are more responsive, effective and accessible for all
Canadians."
Through commitments of over $200M
in AI-powered solutions since 2018, DIGITAL has propelled the
development, delivery and adoption of made-in-Canada AI
solutions across the health care, natural resources and
agriculture sectors. These investments have resulted in over 130
AI-enabled products and services in market benefitting Canadian
companies and Canadians. DIGITAL is also addressing the skills and
talent gap, having provided pathways for over 11,000 Canadians to
digital-based career paths including increasing AI-based skillsets
and digital leadership.
In healthcare, DIGITAL is enhancing patient care and expanding
access to critical health services in both rural and urban
communities through $26M in recently
announced investments in AI-based health solutions, including:
Improving Healthcare Access for Rural
Canadians
According to the Canadian Institute for Health
Information, half of Canadians wait a few days for in-home health
care services, while one in ten wait almost a month. To bridge this
gap and ensure accessible and equitable healthcare solutions,
DIGITAL has co-invested in a $3.1M
initiative led by Gotcare to enhance their platform with
AI-driven patient matching capabilities; delivery of in-home
healthcare and virtual support through their Health Ambassador
network; and graduating their conceptual model for AI in predictive
health monitoring to a fully developed, ready-for-market product.
The project's pilot in Ontario's
North Hastings region aims to dramatically reduce wait times, which
can be critical in areas where the average delay for post-hospital
home healthcare reaches nearly 27 days. By building a more
efficient, supported system of connection and access to care, it
will ultimately seek to help forge a path to more resilient rural
healthcare systems across Canada.
Speeding Up Clinical Trials
One-third
of adults globally suffer from multiple chronic conditions, a rate
that is increasing worldwide due to various factors. Yet, 80-85% of
clinical trials fail to recruit enough patients or are delayed,
thereby slowing down the research and delivery of life-saving and
novel therapies. DIGITAL has co-invested in a $10.5M initiative led by RxPx to
revolutionize the completion, success and relevancy of clinical
trials through AI. Initially trialing the solution for chronic
concussion therapies, the project will develop and augment a
comprehensive, integrated 'AI Clinical Buddy System' for more
effective patient recruitment, adherence, engagement and monitoring
of clinical trials. The successful implementation of this AI-driven
innovation has the potential to revolutionize completion, success
and relevancy of clinical trials towards developing more effective
medications and therapies for chronic conditions.
Advancing Wound Care
Wound care
presents one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare systems
worldwide, with up to half of all wound care delivered in homes and
communities. DIGITAL has co-invested in a $9M initiative led by Swift
Medical to develop cutting-edge AI tools that standardize
and enhance wound care assessments. This initiative includes the
deployment of SmartTissue, AutoDepth and
HealingIndex, which use AI to identify wound types and
create precise 3D models for accurate measurement, streamlining
care in home health, long-term care, and hospital settings. The
project stands to significantly improve patient outcomes,
particularly in underserved and Indigenous communities, by
providing equitable and efficient care solutions.
Enhancing Home-based Care with
LLMs
The global healthcare industry is facing unprecedented
challenges as populations age and present increasingly complex care
needs. This strain is particularly evident in the home care
industry facing labour shortages and razor-thin profit
margins. DIGITAL has co-invested in a $3.2M initiative led by AlayaCare to
introduce the first-ever Large Language Model (LLM)-based smart AI
assistant for home-based care. This new AI assistant will aid home
care providers by providing real-time clinical decision support,
reducing administrative burdens, and enabling more focused patient
care. This innovative approach is poised to mitigate risks like
hospital re-admissions and optimize care schedules effectively,
enhancing both the efficiency and quality of home health
services.
"Our government is committed to helping businesses and
researchers have the tools they need to harness the power of AI,
while ensuring the technology is safe and benefits Canadians,"
said the Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
"This is why we are proud to support DIGITAL as it works to
leverage AI to make significant advances in creating cutting-edge
healthcare innovations that benefit all Canadians."
By enabling these cutting-edge healthcare innovations, DIGITAL
is actualizing the potential for AI to revolutionize health care
and improve the lives of millions of Canadians and people around
the world. DIGITAL's role in convening some of the most innovative,
Canadian-led digital technology consortiums comprised of industry,
academia and government partners is supporting Canada's global leadership in ethical and
responsible deployment of AI, while fostering a more innovative and
competitive Canadian economy.
About DIGITAL
DIGITAL, Canada's Global
Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, grows Canadian
businesses through the development, adoption and deployment of
Canadian-made technologies and by working with industry to develop
a digitally skilled workforce to positively impact lives across our
country.
We bring together businesses, academia, community and government
agencies to solve some of industry and society's biggest challenges
– better and faster than any single organization can do on its own.
Through a powerful model that combines cross-sector collaboration,
Canadian IP creation and results-based co-investment, we unlock the
potential of Canadian industry to lead and succeed in the digital
world.
Ahead of the curve starts here.
For more information,
visit digitalsupercluster.ca
Access this release in French here.
SOURCE DIGITAL