British-Swedish drug giant AstraZeneca will participate in Shanghai’s upcoming World Artificial Intelligence Conference for the first time, looking to solve 10 real-world problems with partners.
The medical company is looking to team up on 10 ideas on how to integrate artificial intelligence with healthcare that could reach patients if everything goes right, Leon Wang, China president of the Cambridge-headquartered firm, told Yicai Global. The event will be held on July 9-11.
“We, as a drug maker, should become a bridge between AI firms and technological applications,” Wang added. “We hope what we can accelerate the integration of AI and healthcare.”
Making healthcare smarter could bear fruit as one of the company’s innovations include diagnosing kidney problems via sensors in bathrooms. Other examples for advanced medical devices that Wang mentioned were Hefei-based iFlytek’s voice recognition software, as well as one Singaporean firm’s durable button cell batteries that can last for up to three years.
AstraZeneca is forging ahead with its China projects amid the pandemic. It is proceeding with its global AI research and development center in Shanghai, as Wang confirmed. Moreover, the Wuxi International Life-Science Innovation Campus, co-built by the firm and a local government, has already attracted 17 international companies to set up base.
Furthermore, to fund startups in China, the drug firm and China International Capital have formed a USD1 billion healthcare fund.
“AstraZeneca is willing to take root in China and jointly develop with the Chinese economy and make the most of innovations in China,” Wang added.
Source: Yicai Global
