UK Minister for AI and Digital Government Feryal Clark MP recently visited Imperial College’s Hammersmith Hospital Campus to explore cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) tools in healthcare. Hosted by Imperial’s President, Professor Hugh Brady, the minister learned about the role of AI in improving patient outcomes. One such tool, developed by Professor Declan O’Regan, uses medical imaging and AI to create a digital model of the heart, allowing for deeper insights into people’s genetics and biological age.
Another AI tool, demonstrated by Professor Andrea Rockall, automatically measures sarcopenia, or muscle loss, linked to surgical and cancer treatment outcomes. The minister also saw Imperial’s leading role in developing the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs in HealthTech, public health, and health service sectors, including startups like Cogitat and Vera.AI, which leverage AI to improve healthcare outcomes.
AI in Healthcare: Improving Patient Outcomes with Cutting-Edge Technology
The Minister for AI and Digital Government, Feryal Clark MP, recently visited Imperial College London’s Hammersmith Hospital Campus to learn about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in healthcare. The visit highlighted the potential of AI to improve patient outcomes and transform the healthcare sector.
One of the key areas of research showcased during the visit was the use of AI to assess heart health. Professor Declan O’Regan, BHF Professor of Cardiovascular AI, demonstrated an AI tool that can detect signs of aging in medical scans and provide an image of a person’s “heart age.” This technology has the potential to predict future risks of developing disease by comparing scans with people of varying heart health and their health outcomes through machine learning. Additionally, 3D images mapping the heart’s shape and movement can be developed from the scans, allowing researchers to identify whether a person’s heart ‘looks’ and ‘moves’ like an old or young heart.
Another area of research highlighted during the visit was the use of AI to measure sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Professor Andrea Rockall, Clinical Chair in Radiology, demonstrated an AI tool that can rapidly calculate muscle mass in a region from a patient’s CT scan, supporting clinical workflow and relieving pressures on the National Health Service (NHS).
Developing the Next Generation of AI Healthcare Innovators
Imperial College London is playing a leading role in developing the next generation of researchers, leaders, and entrepreneurs in the applications of AI in healthcare. The UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Healthcare and the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Healthcare, both known as AI4Health, are training researchers to develop AI-based diagnostics tools that can detect disease earlier and maximize the healthy life span of citizens through AI-informed digital public health technologies.
Professor Aldo Faisal, Professor of AI and Neuroscience, outlined how the AI Clinician tool is being piloted in NHS hospitals in North West London. This tool recommends medical interventions to human clinicians, such as prescribing drugs or changing doses, by distilling data from millions of treated patients.
Supporting AI-Driven Healthcare Startups
Imperial College London also supports AI-driven healthcare startups and spinouts that leverage AI to improve healthcare outcomes. Cogitat, an Imperial spinout, is developing a brain-computer interface that uses AI to read brain waves and turn them into digital commands. This technology has the potential to aid upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients.
Vera.AI, co-founded by Imperial students, is a platform seeking to transform hormonal and gynaecological health management using AI to create hyper-personalized guidance that can reduce misdiagnosis, particularly in women’s health.
Creating a World-Leading Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Minister was also given an overview of the new MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) building, a biomedical research institute based at the Hammersmith Hospital Campus. This facility is bringing together scientists and clinicians to collaborate and advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine with state-of-the-art research facilities.
Imperial College London’s strategic initiative, Imperial WestTech Corridor, aims to create a world-leading hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement in West London. The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is a key partner in this initiative, which will bring together a unique set of innovation assets to catalyze investment, jobs, and inclusive growth across the region.
The Hammersmith Hospital Campus is critical to the vision for the White City Deep Tech Campus and Imperial WestTech Corridor, providing a strong connection to Imperial’s medical faculty, clinical academics, and the life sciences activity at White City.
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