Helping type-one diabetics manage insulin through an artificial intelligence (AI) app is the goal of a Brisbane-based tech company that’s now competing for a major international AI prize.
It’s yet another example of local entrepreneurs putting Queensland on the map with innovations in AI and medical bionics.
Team MachineGenes, based at The University of Queensland’s Long Pocket campus and led by Dr Nigel Greenwood, has developed software that analyses a diabetic’s medical history and individually designs their insulin dosage.
The team is now among the top 10 contenders for the $5 million IBM Watson AI XPRIZE pool, with the top award worth US$3 million — more than the Nobel Prize.
Team MachineGenes would aim to use a prize to further clinical trials of its software and further develop the underlying AI.A
The semi-finals of the prize will be judged in New York this month (February). More than 680 contenders have been scrutinised over more than three years, and the Queensland team is in the final pool of ten against competitors from Europe and North America.
Dr Greenwood’s work in AI for medical and aviation applications has been supported by the Queensland Government.
His team has developed a new form of artificial intelligence — evolutionary machine learning and adversarial AI.
Dr Greenwood has spent 29 years developing the maths behind this new form of AI, using evolving natural ecosystems as its inspiration instead of neural pathways.
Advance Queensland has provided funding to Dr Greenwood to help establish his AI technology and demonstrate the medical work, and he paid tribute to that support.
“The fact that the only remaining team in the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE competition from outside North America and Europe is based in Queensland says something very strongly positive about the supportive ecosystem that the Queensland Government has helped establish for early-stage tech start-ups,” he said.
Advance Queensland is funding Queensland entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers, and supporting their work with a framework focused on inspiring, discovering, connecting, growing and investing. The goal is to help translate ideas into commercial success and social benefits.
The state’s reputation for innovation is firmly on the global map, thanks to enterprises like Team MachineGenes.
Visit the website to find out how the Advance Queensland initiative can help grow your business.
