Detroit Catholic reports on University of Detroit Mercy’s establishment of a new center dedicated to utilizing AI technology for positive impact

In an effort to harness the power of artificial intelligence for the betterment of the local community, the University of Detroit Mercy has established the Center for Augmenting Intelligence in Urban Health. Spearheaded by Phillip Olla, Ph.D., an associate professor in the College of Health Professions, the center aims to use technology and AI to address community health care needs.

Olla emphasizes the importance of using AI for social good, rather than for profit or other less noble purposes. The center’s focus is on transforming outcomes in the community through the responsible use of AI tools.

One example of this initiative is the aeroponics garden set up by Olla and his students within the college’s building. Aeroponics technology, which uses 90% less water and no soil, allows for the growth of vegetables in a sustainable and efficient manner.

The ultimate goal of the center is to integrate AI tools into the community to promote health, connect individuals with necessary resources in a culturally meaningful way, and make diagnostic technology more accessible. By partnering with Amazon Web Services, the center hopes to build the necessary infrastructure within a year.

Through projects like the aeroponics garden, Olla and his students are demonstrating how technology and AI can be used to improve the lives of those in the local community. The center’s innovative approach holds promise for addressing various health care challenges unique to urban settings and creating a positive impact on the community.