Dartmouth has launched the Center for Precision Health and Artificial Intelligence (CPHAI) with $2 million in initial funding. CPHAI aims to utilize biomedical data and advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning, to enhance precision medicine and healthcare outcomes. The center will focus on driving innovation in areas such as digital biomarkers, clinical decision-making, and predictive analytics. CPHAI will also prioritize ethical considerations, collaborate with various institutions, and work towards creating AI solutions informed by diverse perspectives.
The establishment of Dartmouth’s Center for Precision Health and Artificial Intelligence (CPHAI) marks a significant milestone in leveraging biomedical data and advanced technologies to enhance healthcare. With initial funding of $2 million from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, CPHAI aims to conduct interdisciplinary research to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and biomedical data in improving precision medicine and healthcare outcomes.
CPHAI’s primary objective is to promote public health and healthcare delivery by adhering to rigorous ethical standards for health AI. The center recognizes the transformative role that AI can play in healthcare, addressing real-world clinical challenges, enhancing patient outcomes, and promoting equitable access for all. President Philip J. Hanlon, Ph.D., stated in the press release, “This new center will help foster innovation and collaboration in these critically important fields.”
By utilizing AI and machine learning, CPHAI researchers seek to drive innovation in various areas, including digital biomarkers, clinical decision-making, predictive analytics, and precision health. Projects undertaken by the center will focus on optimizing treatment strategies, analyzing biomedical data to inform public health policies, and developing AI-based diagnostic tools.
Furthermore, CPHAI will serve as a platform for evaluating newly developed tools and technologies in clinical settings before seeking approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This approach is expected to facilitate the efficient integration of approved tools into healthcare settings.
One of CPHAI’s distinguishing features is its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to precision health and artificial intelligence. The center emphasizes not only technological advancements but also the ethical and societal implications of these innovations. Saeed Hassanpour, Ph.D., the inaugural director of CPHAI, highlighted the importance of addressing biases within datasets and AI tools, understanding the limitations of health AI technologies, safeguarding privacy and transparency, and striving for equitable outcomes.
To ensure the ethical use of health AI, CPHAI will collaborate with the Dartmouth Ethics Institute, Neukom Institute for Computational Science, and the Wright Center for the Study of Computation and Just Communities. Through these partnerships, the center will work towards identifying and rectifying biases, enhancing privacy and transparency, and advancing equitable outcomes for all.
In addition, CPHAI will focus on the development of various technologies for radiology, including clinical decision support tools. Radiologists are already leveraging AI for tasks such as managing administrative clinical responsibilities and detecting cancers. Deep learning algorithms hold the potential to revolutionize the practice by aiding radiologists in image interpretation, improving accuracy and efficiency in producing images, and streamlining hospital workflows for timely patient care.
CPHAI leadership envisions collaboration with local and global healthcare stakeholders to develop AI solutions informed by diverse perspectives. By fostering awareness and trust around the risks and benefits of health AI, the center strives to make a significant impact in the field.
