Image above (l-r): Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez from Queen's University Belfast; Dr Sandra Irvine; Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt; and Professor Darragh McArt. Photo credit: Lauren Martin.

Held at Queen’s University Belfast, the event aimed to educate and engage attendees about the potential of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy, optimise treatment pathways, and enhance patient outcomes.

Key highlights of the event included:

 - Keynote Address: The event featured an opening keynote from the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, who highlighted the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into our healthcare system and how it can play a pivotal role in addressing some of the current challenges.

 - Industry Leadership: Professor Darragh McArt, the Founder and CEO of Sonrai, emphasised the company’s commitment to driving innovation in cancer management and care while showcasing how technology can be used to improve patient outcomes. Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez, Director of the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence at Queen’s University Belfast, spoke about the relevance of the adoption of AI in modern healthcare and the importance of patients in this journey.

 - Patient and Professional Engagement: Panels and interactive sessions enabled open dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals, addressing concerns and sharing success stories of AI applications in real-world clinical settings.

“The harsh reality we face today is that one in two of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime. We must deliver new and innovative ways of preventing cancer, supporting early diagnosis and delivering better care for cancer patients,” said Mr Mike Nesbitt, Health Minister. “The Sonrai and Queen’s University project demonstrates that AI based tests can deliver faster and more accurate results to assist with the diagnosis of lung and colorectal cancer. These advancements in AI cancer diagnosis exemplify the innovative and collaborative spirit we champion here. By embracing cutting edge solutions, we can improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency and position Northern Ireland at the forefront of medical innovation.”

“This event was a pivotal moment in fostering understanding and trust in AI technology for cancer care,” said Professor Darragh McArt, Founder and CEO of Sonrai. “Our mission is to empower both patients and medical professionals with cutting-edge tools that streamline the diagnostic process and empower pathologists to make more informed decisions.”

“AI has already demonstrated its ability to accelerate pathology workflows, making diagnoses faster and more precise,” said Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez, Director of the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence at Queen’s University Belfast. “This technology holds enormous promise to enhance the way we care for patients and address the growing demands in pathology labs.”

“It’s fantastic to see patients getting involved in the conversation about the use of AI in healthcare. It’s not just about faster diagnoses but ensuring that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to accurate and timely care,” said Dr Sandra Irvine, Patient Advocate and Project Lead, Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) Group. “Events like these are vital in demystifying the technology and building trust among patients.”

The event underlined the importance of collaboration across academia, industry, and patient groups to unlock AI’s full potential in transforming healthcare. Feedback from attendees highlighted increased confidence in the role of AI in improving diagnostic workflows and patient care.

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Media inquiries to Sian Devlin at s.devlin@qub.ac.uk