Breadcrumb Links
News Local News Business
“Imagine how AI and robotics could revolutionize diagnosis, treatment planning and even surgery,” said the world's most advanced humanoid robot.
Published on May 29, 2024 • 3 min read
To save this article, register for free here, or sign in if you have an account.
Ameka, a humanoid robot developed by Engineered Arts, takes part in an AI interview with Alberta Innovates CEO Laura Kilcrease during the Inventures conference at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Brent Culver/Postmedia
Article Contents
Two private companies and 10 research teams across Alberta, including several at the University of Calgary, received a combined $9.5 million in Alberta Innovates grants on Wednesday to apply artificial intelligence in the health care sector.
The announcement of the “Improving Health with Artificial Intelligence” grant winners was made at the Inventures 2024 conference hosted by Alberta Innovates.
Ad 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but article continues below.
This content is available to subscribers only
Subscribe now to read the latest news from your city and across Canada.
With one account, you'll enjoy unlimited online access to articles from across Canada. Exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Subscribe to unlock more articles
Subscribe now to read the latest news from your city and across Canada.
With one account, you'll enjoy unlimited online access to articles from across Canada. Exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Register/Sign in to view more articles
To continue reading, please create an account or sign in.
Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation. Enjoy additional articles every month. Receive email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign in or create an account
or
Article Contents
The event, which runs until May 31, will feature more than 400 speakers and has about 4,000 registered attendees.
The broader goal of the grant is to improve diagnosis and treatment in healthcare.
One grant recipient, Calgary-based Mikata Health Inc., is developing Mika AI Scribe technology to help medical professionals automate manual paperwork and data entry.
“We're addressing all the administrative burden that physicians and their staff currently face through manual processes,” said Kyle Nishiyama, CEO and co-founder of Mikata Health.
“The goal is to enable doctors to focus more on their patients,” Nishiyama said. Administrative and administrative tasks are also a major cause of physician burnout.
“We've had comments from physicians saying, 'It used to take me 10 to 15 minutes to write a note, and now it only takes me one to two minutes,'” he said.
Mikata Health has received $800,000 to support research and development around privacy, safety and AI ethics, and is also working with medical teams to test and implement the technology.
Midday News Roundup
Thank you for your registration!
Article Contents
Ad 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but article continues below.
Article Contents
“This is huge for us. It allows us to accelerate the whole development of the technology,” Nishiyama said.
Early versions of Mika AI Scribe are being used by doctors across Canada, including many in Alberta, he said.
Cumming University has received multiple grants from Alberta Innovates, including $800,000 provided to the Cumming School of Medicine to understand the health conditions of people with disabilities, said Associate Professor Aaron Phillips.
“Using artificial intelligence, we hope our project will help us understand what health conditions people with disabilities will experience and predict them before they happen,” Phillips said.
The company's platform aims to leverage real-world data to identify patterns that predict changes in health outcomes.
“The AI uses huge data sets but narrows it down to a few variables, such as distance walked or quality of sleep,” he said.
Phillips said identifying and understanding these health conditions early could lead to reduced costs and improved quality of life for people with disabilities.
AI-powered robots take center stage at Inventions
Ad 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but article continues below.
Article Contents
The event featured a live “interview” between Alberta Innovates CEO Laura Kilcrease and Ameka, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, which asked and answered questions without any prior programming.
Ameca, built by British company Engineered Arts Limited, spoke out about the potential benefits of AI in healthcare.
“Imagine AI and robotics revolutionizing diagnosis, treatment planning and even surgery – saving countless lives and improving the quality of life for millions of people,” Ameka said in response to Kilcrease's question.
Ameka then posed questions to Kilcrees in front of the crowd at the Telus Convention Center.
“How do you think these emerging technologies will shape the future of innovation in Alberta?” Ameka asked.
“I think they're absolutely critical to the Alberta situation. We are the future and innovation drives our future, so it's up to us and the brainpower of our people to drive the future in the way that we want to,” Kilcrease said.
Editor's recommendation
Varco: Massive AI data centres are coming, and Alberta wants to lead the way
Oil and gas focused AI company Ambint moves headquarters back to Calgary
Article Contents
Share this article on social networks
