The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical center based in Rochester, Minnesota, announced a partnership with Silicon Valley startup Cerebras Systems to collaboratively develop artificial intelligence (AI) models for the healthcare industry. This collaboration aims to leverage Cerebras’ computing chips and systems to harness decades of anonymized medical records and data available at Mayo Clinic’s disposal. The Mayo Clinic, known for its three major campuses in the U.S., as well as locations in the U.K. and United Arab Emirates, intends to employ AI models for various purposes within the healthcare domain.
Matthew Callstrom, Mayo’s medical director for strategy and chair of its radiology department, outlined some of the applications of the AI models. Some models will have the capability to read and write text, summarizing critical information from extensive medical records for new patients. Others will specialize in analyzing images to identify patterns that may elude human eyes, particularly those of trained medical professionals. Another focus will be on the analysis of genome data. It’s important to note that these systems are designed to assist medical professionals by providing insights and information, but the ultimate decision-making still rests with doctors.
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Callstrom emphasized the role of AI as an augmentation tool to assist medical professionals in making informed decisions. The vast amounts of data processed by AI can aid in weighing various factors and leveraging extensive experience to enhance patient care. While AI plays a supportive role, it doesn’t replace the decision-making capabilities of doctors.
Mayo Clinic plans to share the outcomes of its collaboration with Cerebras on its Mayo Clinic Platform, a data network also utilized by other healthcare systems, including the Mercy healthcare system in the U.S., the University Health Network in Canada, and healthcare systems in Brazil and Israel.
Regarding the cost of the AI technology, Mayo Clinic has not finalized the pricing structure. The clinic envisions disclosing more details about this collaboration, including the financial aspects, during an address at JPMorgan Chase’s healthcare conference in San Francisco.
Cerebras Systems’ CEO, Andrew Feldman, characterized the partnership as a “multi-million-dollar” agreement spanning several years. The deal encompasses the provision of both hardware and software development services by Cerebras to Mayo Clinic. As a notable player in the AI chip market, Cerebras is among the companies aiming to challenge the dominance of market leader Nvidia.
This collaboration reflects a growing trend in the healthcare industry, where institutions are increasingly turning to AI to harness the power of data for improved patient outcomes. By combining the expertise of medical professionals with advanced AI capabilities, healthcare providers aim to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and overall patient care. The partnership between Mayo Clinic and Cerebras Systems represents a significant step in advancing the integration of AI into healthcare practices.
