Microsoft wants to use AI and machine learning to discover a cure for cancer

Earlier this year, Microsoft launched Healthcare NExT, a new initiative that aims to bring together artificial intelligence, health research, and the expertise of its industry partners in order to provide people with the means to live healthier lives and cure deadly disease. In a blog post detailing the initiative, Microsoft noted how few other industries have the problems as complex as that of health care, though the company believes it can make headway by incorporating new innovative technology. "It's a big challenge," said Peter Lee, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Research NExT. "But we believe technology – specifically the cloud, AI and collaboration and business optimization tools – will be central to health care transformation." As reported by Digital Journal, Microsoft is expanding Healthcare NExT to cancer research in an effort to further work done to find a cure or effective treatment for the disease.