VA creates National Artificial Intelligence Institute to advance R&D

The Department of Veterans Affairs, the nation's largest integrated healthcare system, is centralizing the agency's efforts to advance its artificial intelligence research and development capabilities. The VA on Thursday announced the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute, a joint initiative by the Office of Research and Development and the Office of the Secretary's Center for Strategic Partnerships. "VA has a unique opportunity to be a leader in artificial intelligence," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in a written statement. "VA's artificial intelligence institute will usher in new capabilities and opportunities that will improve health outcomes for our nation's heroes." The National Artificial Intelligence Institute will solicit, develop and execute flagship AI research and development projects--with veteran input--focusing on deep learning, explainable AI, privacy-preserving AI as well as AI for multi-scale time series.