Center for AI Innovation in Healthcare

Unlocking the Potential of AI in a Safe and Trustworthy Way

Hartford HealthCare’s Center for AI Innovation in Healthcare, launched in February 2024, focused on unlocking the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) for our patients in a safe and trustworthy way. The first of its kind in New England and amongst the first in the nation, the Center is committed to acerating AI models from bench to bedside. The Center ensures that AI applications are developed and deployed with the highest ethical standards, prioritizing patient safety, clinical efficacy, and operational efficiency.

 

The Center of AI Innovation in Healthcare has developed 6 core capabilities over the last 9 years and all are inextricably linked to drive achieving our goals:

Ecosystem 
World class academic and industry partners

HHC’s AI Center thrives on a dynamic multi-stakeholder Innovation ecosystem of collaborating with world-renowned academic institutions such as MIT and Oxford University, alongside technology leaders like Google and Amazon and AI enabled pioneering startups including Aidoc and K Health. This differentiated Innovation ecosystem has positioned HHC as a premier destination for top-tier talent, fostering an environment of continuous Innovation. By attracting and sustaining world-class expertise, we are accelerating AI’s role in transforming healthcare, enabling HHC to be recognized as a leader in shifting the frontier of AI.

Portfolio 
Research and Innovation

Our focus on AI research and Innovation is transforming patient care. With 15 “Holistic AI in Medicine” multi-modal data projects launched in partnership with MIT, we are pioneering solutions that enhance clinical outcomes. Each initiative is rooted in real-world applications, and as we expand our research environment, we are advancing these projects from bench to bedside—moving beyond theoretical models to validate their impact using real-time data in real-world scenarios. This transition will deliver tangible benefits to our patients, colleagues, and communities.

Governance 
Evaluation, approval, monitoring

Trust and safety remain at the core of AI deployment at HHC. Our disciplined multi-functional interdisciplinary governance structure ensures transparency, accountability, and rigorous oversight of AI solutions, from evaluation and approval to continuous monitoring. By prioritizing explainability and performance visibility, we uphold the highest standards for AI integration, ensuring it enhances—rather than replaces—human expertise in care delivery.

Education 
Equipping community to leverage AI safely

Successful AI integration requires an AI-literate healthcare workforce. HHC is committed to equipping clinical and operational leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively implement AI solutions. As AI becomes an essential tool in healthcare, the collaboration between Human Intelligence (HI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will define the future of care delivery. By proactively preparing our teams today, we are shaping a workforce that is ready to embrace AI-driven transformation.

Integration 
Our "differentiator", integrating AI into clinical practice with ongoing evaluation and modification

HHC’s ability to bring AI solutions from bench to bedside is what sets us apart. Our Center for AI Innovation in Healthcare ensures seamless deployment through iterative feedback loops, cross-functional collaboration, gated processes, and continuous performance monitoring. This structured approach drives measurable improvements in patient outcomes and operational efficiency, positioning HHC as a global leader in taking AI-powered solutions from idea to impact. 

Data
HHC's data and digital platform to facilitate liquidity

A strong data infrastructure is the backbone of AI success. HHC’s robust digital and data platform ensures data liquidity, providing AI models and research projects with high-quality data for training, validation, and testing. HHC is optimizing AI-driven insights, ensuring that our AI systems have access to the most relevant, diverse, and accurate datasets. This enables continuous refinement, enhancing the models’ effectiveness and accelerating the transition of AI solutions from bench to bedside.

The Center for AI Innovation in Healthcare has five foundational elements:

Collaboration and Partnerships

Assembling an ecosystem of world-class AI partners — including MIT, the University of Oxford and Google Cloud.

Research and Innovation

Conducting groundbreaking AI research centered on healthcare applications and developing algorithms for safe real-world implementation.

Trustworthiness

Verifying and balancing innovation opportunities against potential risks of integrating AI into clinical practice through rigorous standards and governance.

Education

Equipping clinical and operational colleagues with the knowledge to leverage AI in a safe and trustworthy manner, and instruct others in its effective use.

Invention

Testing and developing new AI-enabled products that safely and responsibly drive improved health outcomes.