Researchers in Ottawa have been breaking new ground in the medical field with the help of artificial intelligence.
At the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO), they have developed an AI algorithm that can identify rare genetic disorders in children with a level of precision that wasn’t previously possible.
A senior scientist and genetics expert from the institute, Dr. Kym Boycott, says it is a game changer because it can help families get the answers and care they need in a more timely manner. The ThinkRare algorithm works by examining thousands of patient records to find kids with undiagnosed conditions. It is currently a research-stage project but the aim is to bring it into broader clinical practice.
“Using AI to scour CHEO’s electronic health record based on set criteria, ThinkRare can accurately identify kids who may have an undiagnosed rare genetic disease and refer them to our clinic – something that may have never happened without it,” she said.
One such child by the name of Antony has already benefitted significantly from the technology. The algorithm was able to determine that he had a very rare disorder called Chung-Jansen Syndrome, which only 400 people throughout the globe have ever been diagnosed with.
“This research brought a kind of peace to our house,” his father Georges said. “A little bit of blood and a simple test answered so many questions.”
One of ThinkRare’s primary designers, Ivan Terekhov, says the AI program has succeeded in finding needles within the haystack. “It is so exciting to see all these years of work culminating in something that is a success,” he said.
IT'S A WORLD FIRST: Researchers at CHEO use AI to find children with undiagnosed rare diseases https://t.co/kN3dpaqKJB pic.twitter.com/o9CkDTtaeE
— Ottawa Sun (@ottawasuncom) May 23, 2024
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AI continues to revolutionize healthcare, our understanding of nature
The technology is being utilized for everything from developing new antibiotics to identifying cancer more efficiently.
Interestingly, an Ontario company called Script Runner just created a long-distance AI-powered drone that will deliver medication to patients. A test run was recently completed in Thunder Bay where medicine was flown to an individual living about 30 kilometres out of town, in a remote area, within 40 minutes round trip.
Meanwhile, companies like Verses AI Inc. (CBOE: VERS) (OTCQB: VRSSF) have shifted away from traditional methods of training large language model programs and rely on knowledge obtained from examining natural processes instead.
“Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature,” the company says.
Verses recently gave a presentation about its technology at this year’s World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland. The company’s chief scientist debated computer scientist and AI pioneer Yann LeCunn, as well as Meta’s lead scientist, on the subject of “natural vs. artificial intelligence.”
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rowan@mugglehead.com
