Duke Health is embarking on a five-year, innovative partnership with Microsoft aimed at harnessing the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology to redefine the healthcare landscape.
By combining Duke Health's medical capabilities with Microsoft's technological expertise, the companies hope to usher in a new era of innovation, including the creation of a Duke Health AI Innovation Lab and Center of Excellence.
"The partnership is a milestone in the evolution of digital health care," said Dr. Jeffrey Ferranti, senior vice president and chief digital officer of Duke Health. "Our unrivaled expertise in data science, patient care, and technology innovation synergizes perfectly with Microsoft's healthcare solutions and AI technology. Together, we are poised to propel Duke into the forefront of digitally-focused health systems, while simultaneously studying the reliability and safety of generative AI in health care."
Microsoft will equip Duke with state-of-the-art training to foster a cloud-savvy IT workforce and construct a secure cloud environment to simplify and modernize IT operations. In addition, Duke intends to use Microsoft Azure’s secure cloud to streamline clinical care, promote health equity, and further advancements in both research and education.
The collaboration will use Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to redefine health care experiences for providers and patients.
"As founding members of the Coalition for Health AI, Duke University and Duke Health have provided national leadership in AI research, development and governance, making the technology more trustworthy,” said Mary Klotman, M.D., executive vice president for Health Affairs at Duke University, and dean of Duke University School of Medicine.
