The rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are opening new frontiers in medicine. The ad-hoc working group 'AI in Medicine,' an initiative by the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW) and Helmholtz Munich, is establishing itself as a platform to advise and drive forward this pioneering topic through an interdisciplinary group of scientists. In doing so, it complements and enriches other local initiatives promoting digitization and artificial intelligence from a healthcare perspective.

Our goal: Establishing Bavaria as a center for AI in medicine, from research to clinical application

Munich and its surrounding region offer ideal conditions for the exploration and implementation of AI applications in medicine. Here, a unique concentration of leading institutions in biomedical and technical cutting-edge research converges, including the renowned LMU and TUM excellence universities with their university hospitals, Helmholtz Munich, as well as institutes of the Fraunhofer Society and Max Planck Society. Universities in Erlangen, Bamberg, Würzburg, and Regensburg also stand out for interdisciplinary professorships focusing on AI in healthcare. The Munich metropolitan area, with its clustering of biotech startups, pharmaceutical companies, and technology giants like Microsoft and Siemens, provides a one-of-a-kind ecosystem in Europe for integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare.

Our mission: Advising on the application of AI in medicine through a pioneering platform

The BAdW aims to connect top experts and their research projects across institutional boundaries and create a platform for future collaborations. Furthermore, we seek to foster an open discussion about the potentials and ethical implications of both the application and non-application of these technologies. Legal frameworks are also addressed, not as instruments of hindrance but as facilitators of innovation. The goal is to support policymakers and medical professionals in accelerating access to AI-driven applications.

An important focus lies on the significance of data in the context of access, security, and trust to shape the medicine of the future. The working group, through dialogue-oriented events, will bring together representatives from research, medical professionals, legal experts, and policymakers to develop concrete measures. Simultaneously, targeted information offerings for the public will be provided to promote a broader understanding of this subject.