AI for Healthcare Centre presents research at global medical tech trade fair

AI4Health researcher, Ruoyu Hu, networking at MEDICA

Pioneering AI-driven healthcare innovation: PhD researchers showcased solutions at MEDICA 2024, fostering global trends and collaboration

As a Centre for pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence, the AI for Healthcare Centre was thrilled to be an exhibitor at MEDICA 2024, and to engage with healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and researchers from around the world. MEDICA is one of the largest and most influential commercial trade fairs for medical technology and healthcare in the world. It is held annually in Düsseldorf, Germany, and typically attracts over 5,800 exhibitors from 72 countries and more than 83,000 professional visitors from across the globe. This makes it a significant platform for innovation, networking, and showcasing cutting-edge technologies in the healthcare sector.  

Our team returned from an inspiring week at MEDICA filled with thought-provoking discussions, meaningful collaborations, and an incredible showcase of innovative AI solutions driving the transformation of healthcare, delivered by our AI for Healthcare researchers Ruoyu Hu and Oskar Fraser-Krauss. 

"Having been a long-term friend of MEDICA Fair, I'm delighted that we have now officially opened a stand at the conference. Our centre comprises of over 220 researchers working at the interface of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science and medicine at a very practical translational level and our projects aim to directly impact patients' lives during the lifetime of a project." (Aldo Faisal, Professor & Director of the UKRI Centres in AI for Healthcare) 

From AI-driven diagnostic tools to predictive analytics in patient care, we were surrounded by pioneering ideas that aligned perfectly with our mission to harness the power of artificial intelligence for a healthier future. The diverse panel discussions and networking opportunities offered valuable insights into the latest trends in medical research and industry collaboration.

The fair underpinned a universal vision and commitment to leveraging AI for better patient outcomes, driven through collaborations with experts from around the world. Key discussions revealed numerous opportunities for research partnerships, aligning with the event's emphasis on fostering innovation. 

"I felt incredibly privileged to present my work at the open-mic forum and engage in discussions with people from various domains; I found them to be particularly helpful in trying to approach my work from different perspectives, highlighting factors for consideration that perhaps I would have missed in a purely academic approach." (Ruoyu Hu, AI4Health PhD Researcher) 

On 13 November, our AI4Health researchers took centre stage at the MEDICA Health IT Forum, a prominent platform for discussions on digital health trends and innovations. Under the headline of Transforming Healthcare with AI: Innovative Research from Future Innovators our researchers showcased their groundbreaking contributions:

• Research Topic: An AI Platform for Learning to Laugh: A New Approach to Develop a Sense of Humour  

Ruoyu Hu presented his innovative AI platform, designed to enable artificial intelligence to learn and mimic human emotional responses to humour. His work explores new dimensions of human-AI interaction, with potential applications in enhancing patient well-being and developing novel therapeutic solutions. 

• Research Topic: Dynamic Graph Machine Learning for Early Detection and Characterisation of Antimicrobial Resistant Outbreaks from Acute Care Data 

Oskar Fraser-Krauss introduced his research leveraging dynamic graph machine learning to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). His model provides early detection and precise characterisation of AMR outbreaks, equipping healthcare providers with tools to reduce risks and improve patient outcomes.

‘Presenting at the conference was a highlight, providing a platform to share my contributions to medical research while gaining feedback and inspiration to refine ideas and drive meaningful impact.’ (Oskar Fraser-Krauss, AI4Health PhD researcher) 

Emerging trends took centre stage, including advancements in real-time patient monitoring, enhanced medical imaging, and personalised medicine powered by AI. These innovations resonate strongly with the mission of our research centre, focusing on integrating cutting-edge technology into healthcare solutions. 

This event was supported by UK Research and Innovation. [UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Healthcare grant number EP/S023283/1]