USyd team wins Google AI grant

The University of Sydney’s Westmead Applied Research Centre has been awarded Australia’s inaugural Google.org AI Impact Challenge prize, receiving $1 million and expert support to develop a customised digital health program powered by artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at reducing the risk of heart attack – the biggest cause of death globally. The bid was supported by Sydney Informatics Hub’s Dr. Joel Nothman.

The digital health program, initially centered around Western Sydney health services, will deliver tailored advice and nudges using machine learning to participants who have presented at hospital with chest pain, harnessing their digital footprint to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

By combining clinical and consumer-derived data, such as from mobile phone apps and wearables, with AI, it is believed the accuracy of risk assessment will be improved while creating more adaptive digital health solutions.

The prize, presented to Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC) led by Professor Clara Chow, was awarded this morning by the Managing Director of Google in Australia, Melanie Silva and Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews.

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence said the award would add to the body of work over the longer term for the Westmead Precinct in becoming a global centre of excellence in innovation, healthcare, wellbeing and education, including the University’s second major campus comprising some 25,000 students by 2050.

“This support from Google recognises our pioneering work in this space,” Dr Spence said.

Google awards $1m to University of Sydney to put AI into health

ITNews: Westmead wins Google AI grant for digital health project

Have a problem you think would make for a good challenge? Drop us a project request or get in touch sih.info@sydney.edu.au.