The first artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputer of its kind in Australia has booted up in Melbourne, and is set to use the most advanced technology to deliver new medical breakthroughs.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson visited NEXTDC’s Melbourne Data Centre in Tullamarine to see the Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation’s (ACAMI) new NVIDIA DGX H200 supercomputer ─ backed by $10 million from the State Government.
The first of its kind in Australia, the supercomputer will use AI to accelerate research into clinical trials and treatments to improve health outcomes for patients. It will have the ability to process complex 3D imaging and analyse huge amounts of health data in just hours, making it faster and easier to improve diagnoses.
“Victoria is proud to be home to this supercomputer that will deliver more medical breakthroughs and improve the healthcare for Victorians and people around the world,” said Minister Pearson.
“There are now three world-leading centres of medical research – Boston, London and Victoria – and this groundbreaking technology will support our world-leading researchers to accelerate medical innovations in the state.”
The supercomputer will help accelerate innovations that span from precision oncology and immunotherapy to cardiovascular risk prediction, digital pathology and breast and colorectal cancer relapse-risk prediction.
The launch of the supercomputer is a major milestone for ACAMI, based at La Trobe University and bringing together world-leading experts in AI and medical research to change the way we diagnose and treat cancer, infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
“The potential of AI in medical and biotech research is huge. The DGX H200 enables faster translation of research into clinical trials and personalised therapies,” said La Trobe Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell.
The supercomputer will position Victoria as a leader for AI in medical innovation and provide important training for Australian scientists, clinicians and data experts, said Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas.
“Victoria is at the global forefront of health and medical research – I look forward to seeing how this medical supercomputer will make a difference the lives of people around the world,” said Minister Thomas.
