Innovation funding supports use of generative AI in health care

Four innovators are sharing in nearly $2 million for projects using generative artificial intelligence applications to drive health care improvements.

The Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Innovation Challenge – Generative Artificial Intelligence Applications Stage 2 program funding was targeted at projects using cutting-edge innovations for positive community health outcomes.

Curtin University’s Associate Professor Anthony Kicic is examining viruses called bacteriophages (‘phages’) that infect and replicate in bacterial cells. In certain cases, phages may provide an alternative to the use of antibiotics.

The WA innovator will progress his development of a platform that runs simulations to quickly find phages expected to be effective against a person’s particular bacterial infection.

This will save up to 5 days on the existing laboratory approach to identify and treat patients with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection – a timesaving that could be critical to saving a patient’s life.

The Innovation Challenge – Generative Artificial Intelligence Applications program provides grants to researchers to find solutions to challenges in health and medical research, innovation, health care service delivery, and medical education and training.

In Stage 1, successful applicants conducted feasibility studies on their concepts. Stage 2 funding allows innovators to develop and put their solutions into practice.

Visit the FHRI Fund website (external site) for more information about recipients of the Innovation Challenge – Generative Artificial Intelligence Applications Stage 2 program.