Evening lectures at Studium Generale and Osterfeld for Future scheduled in November 2023
In the heart of Germany, efforts are underway to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare, with three state-funded projects worth 2.5 million euros currently in progress. These initiatives aim to improve cancer detection on site and strengthen the bond between general practitioners and patients.
One of the projects, led by the Siloah St. Trudpert Clinic, is making strides in this area. The clinic, renowned for its detection technologies only available in a few German or European centres, is collaborating with Pforzheim University and the Economic Development Agency North Black Forest.
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is another institution involved in these advancements. As part of Germany’s vibrant AI healthcare research environment, DKFZ is focusing on cancer treatment, with funding from programs like Horizon Europe.
Other institutions contributing to AI integration in clinical settings include the FZI Research Center for Information Technology in Karlsruhe, in cooperation with the Diakonie Baden. These networks, facilitated by over 40 national and regional state AI programs, are bridging the gap between research and practice.
Prof. Dr. Stephan Kruck, the Chief Physician of Urology at the Siloah St. Trudpert Clinic, is likely involved in these collaborations. His academic leadership role, particularly in medical informatics/AI, suggests he may be a key player in these state or federal initiatives aimed at digital health transformation and AI application in clinical care.
These projects reflect the technological direction and public investment priorities closely aligned with academic and healthcare institutions. For instance, state-funded initiatives support AI startups and research projects, such as Clinomic’s AI-based ICU tools.
However, the implementation of AI in clinical practice faces systemic challenges. Complex deployment regulations and slow digital adoption in healthcare are bottlenecks that must be addressed. Nonetheless, sub-national programs, Horizon Europe funding, and collaboration between hospitals and AI research centres continue driving progress in projects involving entities like DKFZ and related clinics.
On a separate note, Prof. Dr. Sascha Kaufmann, a chief physician colleague of Prof. Dr. Stephan Kruck, is known for his realistic evaluation of China's rise. He warned early not to underestimate it and will be delivering a lecture on China's impact on politics, economy, and life, featuring author and documentary filmmaker Frank Sieren, on November 22nd. The lecture will start at 7 p.m. in Room 404 of the Kulturhaus Osterfeld at Pforzheim University, located at Tiefenbronner Straße. Admission to the lecture is free.
Frank Sieren, a leading German China specialist, has lived in Beijing for almost 30 years and has worked as a China correspondent for several renowned media outlets. He reaches up to 1.6 million listeners in podcasts and has the largest China group on German LinkedIn. The lecture will address the challenges that come with China's rise, including its positioning as a new superpower and the lessons that can be drawn despite systemic differences.
[1] AI in Healthcare in Germany: Challenges and Opportunities [2] Germany Invests in AI Startups for Healthcare [3] German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) [4] Horizon Europe [5] FZI Research Center for Information Technology
- The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare in Germany is being driven by state-funded projects, with initiatives focusing on improving cancer detection and strengthening the bond between general practitioners and patients.
- Germany's investment in AI startups for healthcare is evident in projects like Clinomic's AI-based ICU tools, which are supported by state-funded initiatives.
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is a significant player in the AI healthcare research environment, focusing on cancer treatment and receiving funding from programs like Horizon Europe.
- Horizon Europe is a funding program for projects involving entities like DKFZ, driving progress in AI application in clinical care and digital health transformation.
- The FZI Research Center for Information Technology in Karlsruhe, in cooperation with the Diakonie Baden, is another institution contributing to the integration of AI in clinical settings, bridging the gap between research and practice.
