Apply AI webinar – exploring AI uptake and EU support measures in healthcare and pharma

On 9 December, the AI Office organised a webinar on the use of AI in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector. The event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on how AI can revolutionise this key sector, offering insights into policy actions aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical development. In particular, speakers elaborated on a) why health and pharmaceuticals are considered key sectors of the European economy, b) what initiatives are already in place, and how the new European AI policy approach strengthens or complements them, and c) what impact the European initiatives are expected to have on patients and healthcare systems. 

This webinar was a direct follow-up to the publication of the Apply AI Strategy which highlights actions to support the uptake of relevant AI solutions in strategic sectors of the European economy. The Strategy introduces flagship initiatives creating a continuous feedback loop between AI solution development, deployment and evidence generation in clinical settings. Among others, the Strategy facilitates:  

• the establishment of a European AI-powered advanced screening centres, an open network of medical centres deploying AI solutions for prevention, early detection or diagnosis of cancer and/or cardiovascular diseases. The participating centres will act as lighthouse healthcare facilities deploying innovative, scalable AI solutions and generating evidence on their effectiveness. The network will cover all EU Member States by the end of 2029.
• the launch of a network of expertise on AI deployment in healthcare that brings together healthcare professionals, hospital managers, patients’ representations, researchers and innovators to develop guidelines and best practices, for the effective, and equitable deployment of AI in healthcare. This flagship will initially be operationalised through the EU4Health project COMPASS-AI. 
• the organisation of an AI Drug Discovery Challenge, that will focus on addressing unmet medical needs. This challenge will expedite the discovery and development of new drugs, providing access to AI Factories’ compute capacity and expert advice to bring discoveries from the lab to the market. 

The Apply AI Strategy marks as well the beginning of a collective journey, aimed at understanding key sectors’ needs and provide relevant policy replies. The Commission is committed to fostering continuous dialogue with stakeholders through initiatives like the webinar and structured dialogues organised as part of the Apply AI Alliance, ensuring transparent and open discussions on AI deployment. By embracing a unified ecosystem approach and cross-border collaboration, the strategy seeks to harness the power of AI, driving innovation and enhancing healthcare outcomes across Europe. 

Watch the webinar again by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29F5tNR2nr4