AI for Life Sciences and Health Technologies
We are experiencing a rapid technology transition, driven by a digital transformation process, which is essentially based on the access to an unprecedented pool of computing resources through the cloud (Cloud computing), on a huge amount of data provided by an increasing number of connected objects (Big Data & Internet of Things) and on advanced analysis techniques, such as machine/statistical learning.
This new and somewhat unpredictable scenario has determined a rapid development of Artificial Intelligent (AI) often called AI Renaissance. According to a recent analysis presented at the WEF meeting of Davos, AI could give a great contribution to the global economy by 2030, adding 14% to the global GDP. AI has enormous potential in many fields, ranging from industry to medicine, and could be the key to addressing critical social challenging and promoting more inclusive growth.
Italy and the USA have approved their National AI Strategy. The National Science Foundation, a major player and stakeholder in the AI field, as well as Italy’s historic partner, has recently launched the NSF-led National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes, establishing a set of hubs in a broader nationwide network that will accelerate research in AI. Italy has approved a pluriannual National Research Program, which is focused on AI and its applications and is planning to constitute a National Institute for Artificial Intelligence. There is already a plurality of collaborations between Italian and US institutions in the AI field, involving prestigious research centers, and favorable conditions exist to promote more structured cooperation between the two countries.
In order to connect the Italian communities in the US and in Italy, as well as to stimulate further collaborations in the AI domain, the Embassy of Italy and the Consular Network in the USA launched the “ITALY – US WEBINAR SERIES ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE”, dedicated to AI applications to different aspects of society, everyday life and research.
The focus of the first event, jointly organized by the Embassy and the Consulate General in San Francisco, was “AI FOR FUTURE URBAN MOBILITY”.
The focus of this second event, jointly organized by the Embassy and the Consulate General in Boston, is “AI FOR LIFE SCIENCES AND HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES”. This is an area in which Artificial Intelligence and new technologies can increase knowledge and bring benefits that we cannot even be conceived of today. The research covers both fundamental topics, as the interactions between Artificial Intelligence and neuroscience, and applications, like early disease detection and diagnosis, AI-assisted diagnosis, genome-specific preventative care, extremely precise surgeries performed with the help of robots, on-demand and digital health care.
The webinar will be opened by Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of Italy to the USA. Introductory remarks will be given by Henry Kautz, Director, Information & Intelligent Systems – NSF.
The discussion will be carried out by an outstanding panel, composed by distinguished scientists, AI experts and entrepreneurs, representing US and Italian institutions.
