ADA, IBM Watson Health collaborate on artificial intelligence initiative

The American Diabetes Association and IBM Watson Health will partner on a long-term collaboration to bring together the cognitive computing power of Watson and the ADA's vast clinical and research data. Kevin L. Hagen, ADA CEO, said the ADA and IBM Watson Health will work to build a first-of-its-kind diabetes advisor for patients and caregivers, as well as develop Watson-powered solutions to optimize clinical, research and lifestyle decisions. "The goal of this endeavor is to develop and introduce cognitive technologies that support clinicians, researchers and people living with diabetes so that we can accelerate discoveries, personalize treatment and care, and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes," Hagen said while announcing the partnership. "We also see potential to address social determinants of health." Unlike traditional computing systems that are programmed, systems like IBM Watson learn at scale, explained IBM General Manager David Kenny.