Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Digital Technologies recently unveiled more than $20 million worth of investment toward projects leveraging artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Since launching in Vancouver in 2018, DIGITAL aims to help grow local businesses through the development and adoption of Canadian-made technologies and by working with industry to develop a digitally skilled workforce.
“Artificial Intelligence is redefining possibilities in healthcare,” says Sue Paish, chief executive of DIGITAL.
Using AI to improve patient outcomes and increase access to healthcare is an important opportunity Canadians cannot afford to let pass by, according to Paish.
“Since our start in 2018, DIGITAL and our Members have been committed to leveraging AI to deliver Canadians the rapidly evolving benefits from innovative, accessible, and effective AI-supported health solutions,” the CEO stated. “The technologies emerging from our investments are crucial to delivering healthcare services that are more responsive, effective and accessible for all Canadians.”
Building on commitments north of $200M for AI-powered solutions since 2018, DIGITAL this month announced $26M for healthcare innovation specifically, having participated in several investment rounds over the past few months.
These co-investment efforts include over $10M for software-as-a-service platform RxPx to accelerate clinical trials and more than $3M for digital-based healthcare innovator Gotcare to improve care access in rural regions.
Wound care innovator Swift Medical received $9M in total investment to advance its AI-powereds health tools such as SmartTissue, AutoDepth, and HealingIndex, which use AI to identify wound types and create precise 3D models for accurate measurement and care. AlayaCare garnered over $3M to launch a new AI assistant that will aid home care providers by providing real-time clinical decision support, reducing administrative burdens, and enabling more focused patient care.
“Our government is committed to helping businesses and researchers have the tools they need to harness the power of AI, while ensuring the technology is safe and benefits Canadians,” stated François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry. “This is why we are proud to support DIGITAL as it works to leverage AI to make significant advances in creating cutting-edge healthcare innovations that benefit all Canadians.”
DIGITAL also revealed that it has now “provided pathways” for over 11,000 Canadians to digital-based career paths.
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