[FUNDED] AI4AI: Artificial Intelligence for Accessible Medical Imaging

A national interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral consortium led by Prof. dr. Ivana Išgum from Amsterdam UMC acquired funding to develop AI technologies for inexpensive imaging devices to be used outside the hospital much closer to the normal living environment. AI4AI includes 12 use cases stretching the entire spectrum of medical imaging modalities including the analysis of MRI, CT, US, X-ray, retinal, histopathology and LSCI modalities, for neuro, cardiovascular, breast, prostate, oncology, retinal, fetal and urgent care. Through solidifying existing networks between academic and industrial research and clinical expertise within the Dutch AI field, AI4AI contributes to strengthening the Dutch position on the Dutch and international AI market and subsequently to training and retaining AI talent in the Netherlands.

AI4AI project

Funding programme: NWO Perspectief
Duration: 2024 – 2030
Total budget:  6,1 M€
Consortium: 9 applicants from 6 Dutch knowledge institutes; 11 companies and 8 other societal partners
Coordinator: Amsterdam UMC

Showcase of a successful project

Medical imaging plays an essential role in disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare. Hence, the demand for acquiring and interpreting medical imaging exams is increasing, while the number of medical experts performing these tasks is not keeping pace. Together, this threatens the accessibility of imaging and compromises optimal healthcare access.

Medical imaging predominantly takes place in the hospital, requiring i) typically expensive imaging devices such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ii) expert personnel for device handling, and iii) expensive medical specialists for analysis.

AI4AI aims to develop artificial intelligence technologies that enable i) image acquisition and formation for affordable devices such as ultrasound (US) and ultra-low field MRI, to provide clinical quality imaging closer to the patient; ii) imaging device use by non-specialized experts; iii) automatic image interpretation for sustainable screening, triaging, diagnosis and treatment selection.

The developed AI technologies enable the transition to a more sustainable and accessible healthcare model allowing inexpensive imaging devices to be used outside the hospital much closer to the normal living environment. The developed technology will decrease the need for highly trained experts for operation and analysis, sharply reducing the burden on highly trained manpower and associated costs.

AI4AI brings together the complete innovation chain: leading Dutch AI research groups, clinical expertise, large industry and SMEs, and end-users. The collaboration of all relevant stakeholders will allow the implementation of the developed technologies in the relevant environments, empowering patients and relieving the healthcare system.

Read more about our support in preparing strong proposals.

Author: Linde van Ittersum

Co-founder and Research Funding Professional at Fundament.

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