Artificial intelligence in medicine: New Saxony-wide KIMed network seeks to merge expertise and resources for strong infrastructure and data security

A new network and a secure research environment for artificial intelligence in medicine: This is the crucial objective that researchers in Saxony will be pursuing over the next three years with the project “KIMed – Network for Artificial Intelligence.” Participants and project partners gathered in Leipzig yesterday, Wednesday, April 23, for the official project launch. KIMed is jointly managed by Leipzig University, TUD Dresden University of Technology and Mittweida University of Applied Sciences and has received EUR 3.6 million in funding from the the Free State of Saxony and the European Regional Development Fund.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly finding applications in the field of medicine. It opens up new possibilities in diagnostics, therapy and research. In addition, medical data can be used efficiently with powerful algorithms for image analysis, speech processing and biosignal diagnostics. At the same time, the use of AI in medicine requires secure and trustworthy data infrastructure so that sensitive information can be processed in compliance with data protection regulations.

KIMed is now set to establish a protected and secure research environment for medical data in Saxony. This infrastructure enables the use of large, networked data sets under strict data protection guidelines and supports the use of AI methods in medical research.

“With skilled partners and a clear focus on fostering expertise, new projects, and secure data rooms, we want to unite the specialist knowledge and resources of the medical AI community in Saxony to develop ideas and solutions for the future,” says Prof. Martin Sedlmayr, Director of the Center for Medical Informatics (ZMI) and Dresden PI for the project.

In the coming years, the project members will develop a directory of relevant network partners, medical data sources, algorithms, and AI tools to facilitate access to key resources. Large data sets from existing research projects will be networked and prepared for training powerful AI models. Newly designed use cases will demonstrate how AI algorithms can be used in a protected environment.

“AI-based applications are already revolutionizing diagnostics, personalized therapy, and prevention,” says Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow, “Right now, we're seeing how algorithms can detect diseases earlier in imaging procedures and develop personalized treatment strategies. But AI is only as good as the data it has access to. The KIMed network aims to achieve more by working together across institutions and establishing a unique and secure research data infrastructure that will be available for all conceivable medical applications and will open up even better treatment options with the help of AI.”

Prof. Esther Troost, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden emphasizes: “The use of artificial intelligence has now become an integral part of research. We see preparing the next generation of physicians and scientists for these challenges as a tremendous opportunity and an essential task. Our close ties to the KIMed network will strengthen the projects of our doctoral students, junior research groups, and experienced researchers alike.”

“As a university hospital, we want to play an active role in driving this progress forward—in a patient-centered and scientifically sound manner,” explains Prof. Uwe Platzbecker, Medical Director of University Hospital Dresden. "“KIMed enables us to better connect the strengths we already have at University Hospital Dresden in IT, research, and care, thereby providing new impetus for approaches to care, innovative studies, and improved patient pathways.”

In addition to Saxony's research institutions and the university hospitals in Dresden and Leipzig, KIMed also includes regional healthcare providers and partners from the IT sector. It is one of seven projects selected as part of the SMWK's ERDF/JTF funding program in the call for proposals “Research Networks at Public Science Institutions.”

More on the KIMed project

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Martin Sedlmayr, Principal Investigator of KIMed in Dresden
Director of the Center for Medical Informatics (ZMI)
+49 351 458 2437

Dr. Matthias Nüchter, Principal Investigator KIMed
Leipzig University, Head of the LIFE Management Cluster
+49 341 97 16720
matthias.nü