Microsoft launches major $40M AI for Health initiative

Microsoft on Tuesday announced AI for Health, a five-year, $40 million program that aims to help healthcare organizations leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to boost the health of patients and populations worldwide. "AI for Health is a philanthropic initiative that complements our broader work in Microsoft Healthcare," said John Kahan, chief data analytics officer at Microsoft, in a blog post. "Through AI for Health, we will support specific nonprofits and academic collaboration with Microsoft's leading data scientists, access to best-in-class AI tools and cloud computing, and select cash grants." He said the program – which is "underpinned with a strong foundation of privacy, security and ethics" – will focus on tackling societal health issues, helping researchers unlock new medical and scale up new technology solutions. THE LARGER TREND AI for Health will work by harnessing collaborations that pair Microsoft's AI expertise with leading healthcare innovators around the world.