[WA Grants Fund Futuristic AI Projects for Healthcare Innovations]
The Western Australia’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund has recently awarded grants to fund 19 projects that aim to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The grants, totaling $937,312, will support initiatives ranging from reducing administrative burdens to improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.
One of the projects funded by the grants is being carried out by Foresight Medical’s Professor Yogesan Kanagasingam. His team is working on a non-invasive test for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease is definitively diagnosed through brain imaging techniques that rely on visible brain changes. However, this new approach will utilize generative AI to measure the constriction and dilation of the pupil in response to light flashes, which is altered in people with Alzheimer’s due to neuron degeneration. This innovative test can be conducted using a smartphone and could potentially revolutionize early detection, leading to earlier interventions and the potential to slow cognitive decline.
Another project funded by the grants is aimed at improving access to ear healthcare in rural and remote areas of Western Australia. Dr. Jafri Kuthubutheen from the South Metropolitan Health Service is developing a generative AI model to identify ear conditions based on otoscopic images. This technology will greatly enhance access to specialist care for patients in remote regions such as the Kimberley, where ear disease is disproportionately prevalent in Indigenous populations and timely and accurate care is limited.
While generative AI presents uncertainties and risks, it also offers the potential to significantly increase efficiency, improve care quality, and create value for healthcare organizations, according to WA Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson. The funding provided by the FHRI Fund aims to explore whether this cutting-edge technology can help anticipate public health needs, improve healthcare programs, and drive innovation in Western Australia.
The grants are funded by the FHRI Fund, administered through the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Research and Innovation. The full list of grant recipients can be found on the FHRI Fund website. The awarded projects will begin with a feasibility study, with successful applicants receiving up to $50,000 each. The most promising solutions will then have the opportunity to apply for further funding of up to $500,000 to fully develop and implement their generative AI solutions in Western Australia.
The adoption of AI in healthcare has the potential to revolutionize the industry, enhance patient care, and improve outcomes. As Western Australia takes significant strides in this field, the future looks promising for leveraging the power of AI to transform healthcare delivery in the region.
