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Response to the Prime Minister’s speech on artificial intelligence

Today, Prime Minister Theresa May will announce the Government’s plan to use artificial intelligence to diagnose cancer at earlier stages, which will reduce deaths by around 10% by 2033.

In response, Sir John Chisholm, Chair of Genomics England, said:

The Prime Minister’s commitment to the Life Sciences Strategy and the opportunities it opens for the UK is very welcome. Combining the unique strengths we have in the NHS linked to our world-class science gives us the chance to be global leaders in 4th generation technologies linked to wellness and health.

Data science and the huge advances in computing and clinical technology are already transforming the lives of patients in the UK and across the globe. The scope and scale of the 100,000 Genomes Project, unparalleled anywhere else in the world, has been made possible through the UK’s unique asset − its National Health Service. The NHS, as the single biggest integrated healthcare system in the world, is able to link lifelong healthcare information with whole genome sequencing data. It is a combination that brings benefit to patients whilst also demonstrating the UK’s competitive advantage in enhancing understanding of diseases, and developing products for earlier detection and treatment.

Sir John Chisholm

Chair of Genomics England

Media contact

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