Genomics creates immense quantities of data that are processed with the help of bioinformatics, a discipline that uses and designs computational tools to extract, organize and analyze data from living organisms. In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence, researchers now have access to even more powerful algorithms capable of processing data like never before.
In healthcare, applications powered by artificial intelligence will considerably accelerate the move towards precision medicine. These tools not only analyze patients’ genetic profiles, but also make links with their medical histories and environmental factors likely to influence health, such as pollution levels and lifestyle habits.
Artificial intelligence can also be used to identify new therapeutic molecules in human and animal health, develop predictive models for bio-food production or track the emergence of pathogenic microorganisms.
Montreal boasts a powerful scientific network in artificial intelligence, with the world’s largest university community in deep learning. Two collaborative hubs support a strong and innovative ecosystem: Mila, the Institut québécois d’intelligence artificielle, and IVADO, which brings together the research community, organizations and institutions. Collaborative research projects are conducted between artificial intelligence specialists and genomics research teams.