USC expands its use of AI in healthcare research and training

In short: USC is putting more money and effort into using artificial intelligence in healthcare, including new research centers, partnerships, and training.

What's going on

USC has been building a bigger push to use artificial intelligence, or AI (computer systems that find patterns in data), across healthcare and related fields. One key part is the Center on Artificial Intelligence Research for Health, also called AI4Health, which USC set up in 2021 at its Information Sciences Institute.

USC has invested $1 million to expand AI4Health as part of its Frontiers of Computing initiative, which the university says will provide $1 billion over several years for advanced technology research. AI4Health works with several USC schools and centers, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and cancer research. The work includes earlier disease detection, managing very large health data sets (like organizing a huge library), and spotting patterns that could help predict conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

USC is also forming new partnerships. In August 2024, Akido, Caltech, and the Keck School of Medicine of USC launched the AI Collaborative. The group says it aims to support ethical use of AI across healthcare, design, education, and research, with an emphasis on a human-centered approach.

On the education side, USC has created training modules on AI trends in healthcare for students and working professionals. Related research on medical training highlights that AI lessons need to sit alongside core medical teaching, including legal and ethical responsibilities.

What to watch

More universities are directing money, including large donations, toward AI projects. A key question is how schools like USC will show these tools improve care without creating new risks, such as unfair decisions or overreliance on automated results.

Source: NYTimes