Leidos and Pitt Launch AI Partnership in Medicine
The University of Pittsburgh and Leidos have announced a significant new partnership aimed at advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical applications. This multi-million-dollar collaboration marks a new chapter in their nearly 20-year relationship, with Leidos investing $10 million over five years to fast-track AI development in healthcare.
Liz Porter, President of Leidos’ Health & Civil Sector, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that both organizations are building on existing foundations rather than starting from scratch. “We see this as the initial entry point into where we’re going to go with artificial intelligence,” Porter said, highlighting the potential for significant advancements.
The collaboration will primarily enhance Pitt’s current CPACE team, enabling additional co-product development between the university and Leidos. The focus will be on creating solutions that can improve disease detection, particularly for conditions like cancer. “Think about early detection of disease or diagnoses,” Porter emphasized, illustrating the potential impact.
A key aspect of the partnership will be improving healthcare delivery for military families, veterans, and rural communities. “It’s about delivering smarter and more equitable care,” Porter added. The investment will also support the development of Pitt’s Digital Pathology Research Center, with the goal of deploying these advanced solutions globally.
The partnership aims to leverage AI to provide personalized medicine to every patient, potentially lowering long-term costs for patients as well. By harnessing AI for applications including workforce development, the collaboration promises to drive meaningful change in healthcare delivery.
Both Leidos and Pitt are optimistic about the partnership’s potential, with Porter suggesting that tangible outcomes could emerge relatively quickly. “Keep your seatbelts on, because there’s a lot more to come,” she said, indicating a promising future for this collaboration in advancing medical technology.
