Chancellor Philip Hammond has unveiled significant investment to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in the UK. The Chancellor also highlighted how entrepreneurs and businesses were being supported by Medicines Discovery Catapult to access and adopt cutting‑edge technologies.
We believe that AI is vital for the future of medicine. Capable of not only providing earlier diagnosis, but also breaking new ground in the understanding of complex diseases and the discovery of innovative, safe, and cost-effective new medicines.
Our Chief Informatics Officer, Professor John Overington, says:
“The UK is a major global hub for artificial intelligence research and data science, supported by a world-class drug discovery industry, academic sector and integrated healthcare system.
AI in drug discovery is therefore an area where the UK can genuinely compete globally and the large investments underway in the USA and China, also underline the importance of coordinated national action.”
Medical advances, better drugs, healthier lifestyles and safer workplaces also mean we are living longer lives. But the treatment of chronic health conditions in our ageing population accounts for 70% of total health and social care spending in England, with a similar pattern expressed nationally.
Read our article “Health in an ageing population: The future of medicines discovery is an intelligent one” on Politics Home which explains how AI could support the governments Healthy Ageing challenge.
