A RECENT announcement has revealed that Mayo Clinic has launched innovative collaborations with Microsoft Research and Cerebras Systems to develop foundation AI models, aiming to enhance diagnostic precision, accelerate medical imaging workflows, and advance personalised medicine through genomic analysis.
Announced at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, these initiatives mark a significant step forward in the application of AI into clinical practice. Mayo Clinic’s partnership with Microsoft Research focuses on multimodal AI models that integrate text and imaging data, with an emphasis on chest X-ray analysis. Simultaneously, its work with Cerebras Systems targets genomic data to refine disease prediction and improve treatment selection. By harnessing powerful AI-driven insights, Mayo Clinic seeks to redefine the efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis and treatment planning.
To develop and validate these foundation models, Mayo Clinic and Microsoft Research are applying generative AI to radiology, using Microsoft’s advanced AI technologies and Mayo’s extensive chest X-ray dataset. The AI model aims to automatically generate radiology reports, evaluate line and tube placements, and detect changes across imaging studies, streamlining clinical workflows and reducing diagnostic turnaround times. Preliminary findings suggest that these AI-driven models could significantly enhance radiologists’ ability to interpret imaging data efficiently. Similarly, Mayo’s collaboration with Cerebras focuses on genomic foundation models, integrating Mayo’s patient exome data with publicly available reference genome information. The model has demonstrated high accuracy in predicting functional and regulatory DNA properties, with early evidence suggesting it may help personalise treatment plans for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the trial-and-error approach to therapy selection.
These pioneering AI models have the potential to transform clinical workflows and patient outcomes by providing clinicians with rapid, precise, and data-driven insights. In radiology, automation of report generation and image analysis could alleviate workload pressures and improve diagnostic consistency. In genomics, real-time AI-powered comparisons of patient data could enable earlier disease detection and optimise treatment strategies. Future efforts will focus on refining these models with expanded datasets and ensuring their seamless integration into clinical practice. As AI continues to evolve, Mayo Clinic’s commitment to innovation positions it at the forefront of leveraging AI for more personalised and efficient patient care.
Katrina Thornber, EMJ
Reference
Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic accelerates personalized medicine through foundation models with Microsoft Research and Cerebras Systems. 2025. Available at: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-accelerates-personalized-medicine-through-foundation-models-with-microsoft-research-and-cerebras-systems/. Last accessed: 3 February 2025.
