The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) for advancing the health and well-being of Veterans, as part of the commemoration of National Veterans and Military Families Month in November. The new NAII is incorporating input from Veterans and its partners across federal agencies, industry, nonprofits and academia, to prioritize and realize artificial intelligence (AI) research and development that is meaningful to Veterans and the public. "VA has a unique opportunity to be a leader in artificial intelligence," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "VA's artificial intelligence institute will usher in new capabilities and opportunities that will improve health outcomes for our nation's heroes." VA is an ideal environment for advancing AI technology to benefit Veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants to become a leader in artificial intelligence and launched a new national institute to spur research and development in the space. The VA's new National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) is incorporating input from veterans and its partners across federal agencies, industry, nonprofits, and academia to prioritize AI R&D to improve veterans' health and public health initiatives, the VA said in a press release. "VA has a unique opportunity to be a leader in artificial intelligence," VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. "VA's artificial intelligence institute will usher in new capabilities and opportunities that will improve health outcomes for our nation's heroes." RELATED: VA taps Google's DeepMind to predict patient deterioration For its AI projects, the VA plans to leverage its integrated health care system and the healthcare data it has amassed, thanks to its Million Veteran Program.