Strategic Initiative: Artificial Intelligence and Health

AI-Driven Healthcare Innovation

Through bold leadership, deep scientific expertise, and strategic partnerships, the University of Arizona is advancing transformative AI and ML solutions that will define the future of healthcare.

Addressing Critical Healthcare Challenges

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming healthcare. These advances are redefining how disease is diagnosed, treatment is personalized, and clinical care services are delivered. The ability of AI and ML to analyze vast datasets and identify patterns invisible to humans, will transform diagnostic precision, enable therapeutic tailoring, accelerate drug discovery, and expand access to care, particularly in rural areas with underserved clinical networks. AI-driven innovations, such as precision medicine and AI-powered imaging tools, are already improving patient outcomes. For example, algorithms analyze genomic data to tailor cancer treatments and empower radiologic early disease detection.

From using AI to trace the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, to forecasting asthma attacks with mobile apps, to combining virtual reality with AI to diagnose traumatic brain injuries on the battlefield, U of A researchers turn discoveries into solutions grounded in both scientific excellence and real-world relevance.

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Discovery to Solutions

AI/ML innovation will allow practitioners to use real-time diagnostics, detect diseases earlier, predict disease progression, deliver more personalized care, and improve patient outcomes.

Cancer centeer equipment operated by a woman in purple scrubs

The AI Health Workforce of Tomorrow

As AI reshapes diagnostics, treatment, and care delivery, the health sector faces a pressing demand for professionals fluent in both medicine and machine learning. Preparing this next-generation workforce requires more than technical training—it demands ethical grounding, hands-on experience, and transdisciplinary fluency. The University of Arizona is equipping future leaders to navigate and define this evolving landscape, ensuring the health workforce remains as innovative as the technologies it deploys.

Resilient Health Systems for a Changing World

Global health threats—ranging from emerging pandemics to climate-sensitive diseases—are increasing in complexity and unpredictability. AI offers powerful tools for early detection, dynamic response, and scalable care delivery. By advancing predictive modeling, smart diagnostics, and remote health solutions, University of Arizona researchers are helping build more adaptive and resilient health systems—capable of protecting communities amid uncertainty and change.

Arizona’s Moment: Ready to Lead

Arizona is a rising national leader in health innovation. With over 133,000 bioscience jobs and more than 2,000 life science companies, the state ranks among the top 10 for bioscience job growth. Arizona’s bioscience industry grew 18% from 2018 to 2022, far outpacing the national average. As a hub for telemedicine, digital health, and AI-driven care, Arizona offers unmatched opportunities to deploy and scale healthcare innovations. Strategic proximity to major markets like California, Texas, and Mexico makes it a vital corridor for biotech expansion.

The University of Arizona’s translational research prowess and deep bench of interdisciplinary faculty experts are laying the foundation for a smarter, more connected, and accessible healthcare system.

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Economic Growth

Arizona is poised to lead the next wave of healthcare innovation, fueling new industries, creating high-paying jobs, and driving long-term economic growth across the state and beyond.

Establishing a Health Innovation Hub

With expertise in health sciences, biosciences, data science, and clinical medicine—and partnerships with Banner Health, El Rio Community Health Center, and others—the University of Arizona is uniquely positioned to leverage AI/ML in driving breakthrough projects and initiatives that will improve and save lives.

Anchored by a robust ecosystem that includes two accredited colleges of medicine, Arizona’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, the BIO5 Institute, the Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, and Tech Launch Arizona, this initiative builds on a legacy of improving lives and strengthening communities across Arizona and beyond.

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Responding to Demand

AI/ML tools are advancing innovation that responds to real-world needs, sustaining healthy communities in Arizona and across the globe.

In the News

The four members of the Aspiro team standing in a lab talking with one another.

U of A startup uses AI to predict asthma and COPD attacks

ASPIRO, founded by U of A researchers, is developing a smartphone tool powered by Al and real-time data to forecast and prevent life-threatening respiratory events—giving patients a crucial head start.

doctor with laptop talks to patient in hospital room

AI coaching bot may enhance medical education & training

The Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center developed an artificial intelligence tool to train students to communicate with patients effectively and compassionately.

person using virtual reality headset and controllers while University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers observe in the background

Applying VR and AI to find a faster way to test for TBI

University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers are developing a portable tool to diagnose military personnel on the battlefield.

More Artificial Intelligence and Health News

Our Goals

Accelerate biomedical research: Applying AI/ML in basic research and discovery, and translational, clinical, and population health studies to improve outcomes and individualize treatment.
Advance AI-driven drug discovery: Streamline development of new therapies through AI/ML models that reduce costs and accelerate timelines.
Expand rural access: Deploy AI-powered tools across the state to improve healthcare delivery and reduce long-standing care gaps.
Train the future workforce: Embed AI fluency into health professional education to prepare tomorrow’s leaders.
Scale adoption: Partner with Banner, federal agencies, and the private sector to accelerate real-world use and regulatory progress.
Drive economic growth: Investments in AI and healthcare will create high-wage jobs, attract new partnerships, and solidify Arizona’s leadership in the bioscience and digital health sectors.
Work with Tech Launch Arizona to bring new AI/ML health solutions to market and create new companies with high growth potential.

Meet Our Team

Our renowned faculty are driving advances that place Arizona at the center of AI-powered health innovation.

David Ebert

Serving as the strategic architect for the university's AI and data science vision, David Ebert will lead an interdisciplinary program designed to advance the university's role as a global leader in the responsible application of AI and ML. Ebert will lead the development of the university's AI and health initiative and help launch a unified Data Science Institute.

Justin Starren

Justin Starren, MD, PhD, is Director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, with over 30 years of experience translating informatics research into real-world health solutions. He is known for leading national projects that integrate genomic and patient-reported data into electronic health records to advance precision medicine and improve care delivery.

Dan Theodorescu

Dan Theodorescu is the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Director of the University of Arizona’s NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a professor of Urology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine. A globally recognized cancer researcher, he has led major advances in understanding bladder cancer, discovering biomarkers and drug targets, and developing precision therapies

Ash Black

Ash Black is a creative technologist and educator with expertise in AI, XR, web development, and database technologies. At the University of Arizona, he leads AI outreach strategies and develops hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that connect students to workforce pathways and drive statewide economic growth.

Nirav Merchant

Nirav Merchant directs the University of Arizona’s Data Science Institute, where he develops platforms for secure data analysis, wearable health technologies, and workforce training in AI and machine learning. He leads national projects including NSF CyVerse and contributes to the AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture.

More Artificial Intelligence and Health News

Rui Chang, PhD, is using AI to target multiple pathways that could lead to the development of new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists use AI to identify likely drug targets in search for Alzheimer’s cure

A team led by a University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson scientist harnesses AI to trace the path from a healthy brain cell to one afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Travis Wheeler, PhD, and his team at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are developing software to aid in identifying drugs for target proteins and for predicting possible side effects.

AI drug discovery could open new doors

New computational approaches to drug development could lower treatment costs and make new discoveries possible.

Smart sensors and smarter health: How AI and wearables are reimagining preventive health care

University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers are combining AI with wearable sensors to predict health events like labor onset and stress responses—paving the way for proactive, data-driven healthcare.

U of A-led CyVerse part of $20M NSF award to catalyze biosciences discoveries

With support from a $20M NSF award, the University of Arizona’s CyVerse platform will power the first national synthesis center for molecular and cellular sciences, enabling researchers to integrate big data and uncover insights into biological complexity.