AI innovators called to tackle challenges in healthcare

AI in Healthcare: Revolutionizing Irish Medicine wiht Innovation

Irish healthcare is on teh cusp of a monumental transformation, driven by the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The Health Innovation Hub ireland (HIHI) is spearheading this change with a national initiative designed to foster the growth and testing of AI solutions for the nation’s healthcare challenges. This initiative not only supports innovation but also aims to redefine how healthcare is delivered, making it more predictive, efficient, and scalable.

A National Call for AI Innovation

The Health Innovation hub Ireland (HIHI) has launched a call to action, inviting startups, Irish and international companies with a local presence, researchers, clinicians, and innovators to participate. This initiative seeks to harness the power of AI to address critical healthcare needs and improve patient outcomes across the country.

Did You know? according to a recent report by Accenture, AI in healthcare is projected to save the U.S. healthcare industry $150 billion annually by 2026. this highlights the immense potential for AI to revolutionize healthcare systems globally.

Who should Apply?

HIHI is encouraging applications from those who have innovative AI-powered products or services that can solve recognized healthcare challenges. Whether you have a market-ready solution with regulatory approval, or a prototype in development, your contribution could be instrumental in shaping the future of irish healthcare. The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of impactful AI technologies within the healthcare system.

Pilot Opportunities and Clinical Evaluation

Successful applicants will gain a unique chance to pilot their AI solutions within real clinical settings, offering invaluable real-world testing and refinement.This hands-on experience is crucial for validating the efficacy and practical applicability of AI technologies in healthcare. The HIHI’s extensive national support network will be readily available to provide guidance and resources throughout the pilot phase.

Turning Data into Impact: Project Reports and Case Studies

After the completion of a pilot or clinical evaluation project, winners will receive a detailed final project report and a published case study. HIHI emphasizes that these documents serve as powerful evidence of the solution’s efficacy, value, and overall impact. Such evidence is highly beneficial when seeking potential investors and customers, as it provides a credible and validated track record.

Important Dates to Remember

Mark your calendars! The deadline for applications is august 29, 2025. A shortlist of candidates will be announced in late September, and the overall winners will be revealed in October. These dates are critical for those looking to participate in this transformative initiative.

The Vision: AI Redefining Healthcare

According to Dr. Michael Twomey, a senior clinical research manager and lead program manager for the HIHI AI call, “we are standing at the edge of a transformation in Irish healthcare – where AI doesn’t just support medicine, it redefines it.” Dr. Twomey emphasizes that this initiative represents a significant shift towards a future where intelligence is augmented, care is predictive, and health systems are empowered to heal at scale.

AI in healthcare isn’t just the next step; it is a leap that will reshape what’s possible for every patient, provider, and community. It’s about creating a healthcare ecosystem that is more responsive, efficient, and personalized.

Previous Success: Green-Tech in Healthcare

Earlier this year, HIHI announced the winners of its first-ever ‘Green-tech in healthcare’ call. This competition focused on products capable of disrupting the waste stream within the healthcare industry. It represented a significant first step in addressing the research and innovation gap in sustainable healthcare practices.

Examples of AI applications in Healthcare

• Diagnostic Imaging: AI algorithms can analyze medical images (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) to detect anomalies and assist radiologists in making quicker and more accurate diagnoses.
• Personalized Medicine: AI can analyze patient data to predict individual responses to different treatments, enabling doctors to tailor therapies for optimal outcomes.
• Drug Discovery: AI can accelerate drug discovery by sifting through vast amounts of data to identify potential drug candidates and predict their efficacy.
• Remote Patient Monitoring: AI-powered devices and platforms can monitor patients’ vital signs and health metrics remotely, enabling proactive interventions and reducing hospital readmissions.
• Administrative Efficiency: AI can automate administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling,insurance claims processing,and medical coding,freeing up healthcare professionals to focus on patient care.

Pro Tip: When developing AI solutions for healthcare, prioritize data privacy and security.Ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA to protect patient facts and build trust.

The Future of AI in Irish Healthcare

The integration of AI into Irish healthcare promises numerous benefits, including improved patient outcomes, reduced costs, and enhanced efficiency. By supporting innovative AI solutions, HIHI is paving the way for a healthcare system that is more proactive, personalized, and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

Challenges and Considerations

while the potential of AI in healthcare is immense, several challenges must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation:

• Data Quality and Availability: AI algorithms require high-quality, comprehensive data to function effectively. Efforts must be made to improve data collection, standardization, and sharing within the healthcare system.
• Ethical Considerations: The use of AI in healthcare raises ethical questions regarding bias, clarity, and accountability. It is crucial to establish clear ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks to govern the development and deployment of AI technologies.
• Workforce Training: Healthcare professionals need to be trained to effectively use and interpret AI-driven insights. Investing in education and training programs will be essential to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the AI-powered future of healthcare.

How to Prepare Your Application

1. Understand the Challenge: Clearly identify the healthcare challenge your AI solution addresses.
2. Highlight Innovation: Emphasize the novelty and uniqueness of your approach.
3. Showcase Readiness: Demonstrate the maturity of your product, whether it’s market-ready or a well-developed prototype.
4. Quantify Impact: Provide data or projections that illustrate the potential impact of your solution on patient care and healthcare efficiency.
5. Address Ethics: Describe how your solution incorporates ethical considerations and protects patient data.

Key Aspect	details
Initiative	HIHI AI Call 2025
objective	Support development and testing of AI solutions in Irish healthcare.
Eligibility	Startups, Irish and international companies, researchers, clinicians, innovators.
Benefits	pilot opportunities, access to HIHI network, project report, case study.
Deadline	August 29, 2025

Future Trends in AI Healthcare

The trajectory of AI in healthcare points toward several exciting future trends.

• Predictive Analytics: AI will increasingly be used to predict patient outcomes and identify individuals at risk of developing certain conditions, enabling proactive interventions.
• Virtual Assistants: AI-powered virtual assistants will provide personalized support to patients, helping them manage their health conditions, adhere to treatment plans, and navigate the healthcare system.
• Robotic Surgery: AI will enhance the precision and dexterity of robotic surgery, leading to improved outcomes and reduced recovery times.
• AI-Driven diagnostics: AI algorithms will continue to improve in their ability to analyze medical images and other data sources,leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses.

Call to Action

Are you ready to be part of the AI revolution in Irish healthcare? If you have an innovative AI solution that can make a difference,consider applying for the HIHI AI call. This is your chance to contribute to a future where AI transforms healthcare for the better. What challenges do you see AI being best equipped to solve in healthcare?

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the HIHI AI Call?

The HIHI AI Call is a national initiative by Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) to support the development and testing of AI solutions that can positively impact Irish healthcare.

Who is eligible to apply?

Start-ups, Irish companies, international companies with an Irish presence, researchers, clinicians, and innovators developing AI-powered healthcare products or services are all eligible to apply.

What are the benefits of being selected?

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to pilot their solutions in clinical settings,gain access to HIHI’s national support network,and receive a final project report and published case study.

When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for applications is August 29, 2025.

When will the winners be announced?

The winners will be announced in October.

Given the provided interview context, what specific question(s) related to the PAA (Public Affairs Analysis) are most relevant for the HIHI AI Call 2025?

AI in Healthcare: An Interview with Dr. Aisling O’connell on the Future of Irish Medicine

welcome to Archyde.ie. today,we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Aisling O’Connell, a leading expert in AI and healthcare, to discuss the exciting developments in Irish medicine. Dr. O’Connell, thank you for joining us.

Introduction to Dr. O’connell

Before we dive in,a rapid introduction. Dr.O’Connell is the Chief Innovation Officer at “HealthTech Futures,” a company dedicated to developing and implementing AI solutions in healthcare. She also holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and has been instrumental in several groundbreaking projects using AI in diagnostics and patient care. Dr. O’Connell, it’s a pleasure to have you.

The HIHI AI Call and its Impact

Archyde: Dr. O’Connell, the health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) is spearheading a significant initiative, the “AI Call 2025.” Could you shed some light on its importance and the potential impact we can expect?

Dr.O’Connell: Absolutely. The HIHI AI Call is pivotal. It’s a national effort to harness the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. it’s a call to action, inviting innovators – from startups to established companies, from Ireland and beyond – to propose AI-powered solutions that can solve real-world Irish healthcare challenges. The potential impact is immense; we’re talking about more efficient, predictive, and personalized healthcare ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Key areas to focus on

Archyde: The initiative mentions numerous applications like diagnostics and personalized medicine. What key areas do you see AI making the biggest initial impact?

Dr. O’Connell: we’re seeing rapid advances across multiple areas. AI is superb at analyzing medical images for quicker, and frequently more accurate, diagnoses. In personalized medicine, it helps predict how individuals will respond to different treatments. Furthermore,AI promises to dramatically improve drug discovery and create more comprehensive remote patient monitoring systems. The opportunities are vast.

Focus on data and ethical considerations

Archyde: data quality and ethical considerations are crucial, as highlighted in our reporting. How are these challenges being addressed?

Dr. O’Connell: data is indeed the fuel of AI engines. We have to prioritize data quality and security. Robust ethical guidelines and regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA compliance, are paramount. This requires robust frameworks to guide the responsible advancement and deployment of AI technologies and this is an active area of focus for the HIHI initiative.

Preparing Applications

Archyde: For those looking to participate in the HIHI AI Call, what key advice would you offer to help them prepare their applications for the August 29, 2025 deadline?

Dr. O’Connell: First, understand the specific healthcare challenge you are addressing. Second, highlight the innovation and uniqueness of your AI solution. Showcase its readiness, weather it’s market-ready or a well-developed prototype. Quantify the potential impact of your solution on patient care and healthcare efficiency. clearly address the ethical considerations, particularly how you protect patient data and ensure fairness and openness in your AI. Remember to clearly outline what challenge you are hoping to address.

Looking ahead at the future of AI

Archyde: Looking ahead, Dr. O’Connell, what future trends in AI healthcare excite you the most?

Dr. O’Connell: I’m particularly excited about predictive analytics. AI will become even better at forecasting patient outcomes and identifying risks, which is a massive step forward for preventive healthcare. I also anticipate more AI-powered virtual assistants to help patients navigate the healthcare system. Robotic surgery and AI-driven diagnostics have also the potential to make a significant impact.

Challenges and Solutions

Archyde: What do you see as the biggest hurdles to overcome in realizing this future?

dr.O’Connell: One significant challenge is the need for healthcare professionals to be properly trained to use AI tools, while the lack of interoperability of different healthcare systems is also a major issue. We need to invest heavily in education and data infrastructure to ensure that everyone can take full advantage of these advances.

A Call to Action

Archyde: The HIHI AI Call is a pivotal chance for innovation. Dr. O’Connell, for those considering applying, what would you say is the most compelling reason to participate?

Dr. O’Connell: This is how you can contribute to a healthcare revolution. The AI Call is an invaluable opportunity to work at the cutting edge of medical progress. It offers a platform to not just improve healthcare, but to redefine it. From creating solutions to testing to building the future of medicine, it’s a chance to leave your mark on Irish healthcare.

Concluding Remarks

Archyde: Dr. O’Connell, thank you for providing such valuable insights.It’s clear that AI has the potential to transform Irish medicine and that the HIHI AI Call is a crucial step in this journey.We at Archyde encourage our readers to consider participating!

Dr. O’Connell: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure.

Archyde: We invite our readers: what do you think the biggest impact of AI will be on Irish healthcare? Share your thoughts below.