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Establishing a new network and a secure research environment for artificial intelligence in medicine: this is the key objective that researchers from Saxony will be pursuing over the next three years. The ‘KIMed – Network for Artificial Intelligence’ project is led by the University of Leipzig, Dresden University of Technology and Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, and is funded to the tune of 3.6 million euros by the Free State of Saxony and the European Regional Development Fund.
Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly making their way into the field of medicine. They are opening up new possibilities for diagnosis, treatment and research. Powerful algorithms for image analysis, speech processing and biosignal diagnostics enable medical data to be utilised efficiently. At the same time, the use of AI in medicine requires secure and trustworthy data infrastructures to process sensitive information in compliance with data protection regulations.
Sebastian Gemkow, Minister for Science, says: “AI-based applications are already revolutionising diagnostics, personalised therapy and prevention. We are currently witnessing how algorithms detect diseases earlier in imaging procedures or develop individualised treatment strategies. But any AI is only as good as the data it has access to. The AI-Med network aims to achieve more in this area through cross-institutional collaboration and to establish a unique and secure research data infrastructure that will be available for every conceivable medical application in the future and, with the help of AI, will open up even better treatment options.”
The new KIMed network is establishing a directory of relevant network partners, medical data sources, algorithms and AI tools to facilitate access to key resources. Large datasets from existing research projects will be linked and prepared for the training of high-performance AI models. By developing use cases, ways will be demonstrated in which AI algorithms can be utilised within the secure environment.
“Mittweida University of Applied Sciences’ AI expertise is particularly needed in this field. We develop interpretable and mathematically verified AI methods, which are in high demand, particularly in medical applications where there are stringent requirements for AI safety,” says Professor Thomas Villmann, project leader on behalf of HSMW. He is Director of the Saxon Institute for Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning (SICIM), which brings together this expertise that is of enormous importance to KIMed. “I am delighted that our AI research is being recognised and look forward to further exploring its potential applications in medicine through our new project.” Alongside the universities in Dresden and Leipzig, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is the only University of Applied Sciences in the KIMed network.
Beyond the scientific institutions, the KIMed network brings together data-holding institutions, technical partners and users – such as clinical researchers – to further strengthen medical and scientific activities in Saxony in the field of artificial intelligence. The project is also developing a concept for a ‘secure processing environment’ that meets the highest standards of data protection and data security.
In addition to Saxony’s research institutions, KIMed will also include the university hospitals in Leipzig and Dresden, regional healthcare providers and partners from the IT sector. It is one of seven projects selected under the SMWK’s ERDF/JTF funding scheme in the call for proposals entitled ‘Research networks at public scientific institutions’.
Further information:
Prof. Dr Thomas Villmann, Principal Investigator at KIMed
KIMed website, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
Text: KIMed project team
Photos: Swen Reichhold (University of Leipzig)