Awakened Intelligence 2025#002
Big-Pharma meet Big-AI-Tech, Transformers^2, and why to learn Generative AI from the inside-out in 2025 - the PoorGPUguy weekly dose of cutting-edge open-source AI news & insights
What happens when a Big Pharma Company join hands with NVIDIA the Big Tech AI giant of the super GPU?
A rare opportunity to finally see the end of the Hype and the start of practical AI application, to real world problem.
This question is quite relevant now, because this week the conditions met.
SAN FRANCISCO—J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference—Jan. 13, 2025—NVIDIA today announced new partnerships to transform the $10 trillion healthcare and life sciences industry by accelerating drug discovery, enhancing genomic research and pioneering advanced healthcare services with agentic and generative AI. - from press release
In fact NVIDIA has partnered with clinical research services company IQVIA, genomics specialist Illumina, and Mayo Clinic. Along with a collaboration with research organisation Arc Institute, the collaborations were announced during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference on 13 January.
While it is crystal clear that this major collaboration is for profit (a 2023 report by GlobalData predicts that global revenue for AI platforms across healthcare will reach $18.8bn by 2027…) it is also true that this is a rare opportunity to finally see the end of the Hype and the start of practical AI application, to real world problem.
I was invited 3 days earlier for the pre-release press conference by Irina Shekhovtsova, now a friend of mine that works at NVIDIA as Influencer Campaigns & PR Manager.
The content of the partnership and the area of progress are at the same time an inspiration and indicator of where Big Pharma Companies are pointing their focus:
founding (Arc Institute)
healthcare and hospital future (Mayo Clinic)
DNA genomics and drug discovery (Illumina)
clinical research (IQVIA)
Here's a glimpse of what this powerful partnership may deliver in the future:
Supercharged Drug Discovery: Imagine AI agents sifting through mountains of data to identify promising drug candidates in a fraction of the time it takes today. That's what NVIDIA's AI Foundry service is enabling for IQVIA, who are building custom AI models to accelerate research and clinical development.
Unlocking the Genome: Illumina, a leader in DNA sequencing, is teaming up with NVIDIA to make genomic analysis faster and more accessible. This means researchers can research deeper into the human genome, leading to breakthroughs in disease understanding and personalized medicine.
AI-Powered Pathology: Even the way we diagnose diseases is getting an AI makeover. NVIDIA is working with the Mayo Clinic to develop AI models that can analyze digital pathology images with incredible speed and accuracy, leading to earlier and more precise diagnoses.
No money, no party: the Arc Institute's mission is to revolutionize scientific discovery, providing researchers with long-term funding. This approach allows them to dedicate their energy to groundbreaking research instead of the constant pursuit of grants. And this shift is crucial because the "low-hanging fruit" of scientific discovery – like antibiotics and chemotherapy – have already been plucked. Today's challenges demand a more focused, sustained effort, unburdened by the limitations of traditional funding models.
NOTE: This approach is already bearing fruit. Arc Institute's investments have led to the development of Evo, a powerful foundation model that understands the languages of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Furthermore, the institute is collaborating with NVIDIA to develop foundation models for biology that can be applied to drug discovery, synthetic biology, disease and evolution research, and more. This partnership aims to advance these fields across multiple scales of complexity.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. With NVIDIA's AI and accelerated computing capabilities combined with the expertise of leading pharmaceutical companies, we can expect a new era of medical innovation. Think faster drug development, more effective treatments, and a deeper understanding of human health. The future of healthcare is bright, and it's powered by AI.
Let’s hope that all of this will relieve the burden of medical expenses… and not kill us asking more money to take care of our health!
Learn it and own it - Beyond the hype, Artificial Intelligence is not only the future... but the present as well.
Not only Big Tech can make a difference. Why don’t you discover yourself the possibilities of Generative AI and make them into a reality?
Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”.
This is exactly a good description of my journey into Generative AI and Machine Learning. I started with basic knowledge of programming and a degree in Philosophy… at the young age of 45!
The motive is always our trigger, for the good and for the bad.
What’s your motivation to dig into the fast-changing world of AI?
It’s already here…
Artificial Intelligence affects already several part of our lives, even without our knowledge. From recommendation systems, to search algorithms. There is a pinch of AI often in places that we may not be aware of:
Fraud Detection: Banks and financial institutions use AI to detect fraudulent transactions by analyzing patterns and anomalies in data.
I got surprised myself! Last week I got a text from my Bank candidly telling me they blocked my credit card for security reasons. After few hours on the phone (total panic because I spend most of my time in foreigner countries…) they explained to me that few suspicious transactions triggered the alert - indeed someone cloned my card!
Healthcare: well, after the NVIDIA announcement this should not come as a surprise! AI is being used in healthcare to improve diagnosis and treatment of diseases. For example, AI algorithms can analyze medical images like X-rays and MRIs to detect early signs of cancer.
Unfortunately there are still a lot of shady areas here, mainly because doctors are reluctant to trust the Machine Learning algorithms… and because the doctor is basically the only profession where you can kill someone simply for a wrong judgement.
Recommendation Systems: Many online platforms use AI-powered recommendation systems to suggest products or content based on your browsing history and preferences. For example, Amazon uses AI to recommend products you might like based on your previous purchases and browsing behavior.
Search Algorithms: Search engines like Google use AI to provide more relevant and personalized search results. AI algorithms analyze your search history, location, and other factors to provide the most accurate and useful results.
Virtual Assistants: Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant use AI to understand natural language commands and provide relevant responses. They can perform tasks like setting reminders, playing music, and controlling smart home devices.
Autonomous Vehicles and automated intelligent factories: Self-driving cars use AI to navigate roads and make decisions based on real-time data from sensors and cameras.
Recently NVidia announced full commitment to bring AI into smart Plants in an active and controlled way: sensors, cameras and supervision systems in synergy
These are just a few examples, but believe me they are also the most obvious. Human creativity is so rich that more will be created, with the AI assistance.
Where do we stand?
Spectators and Players, you need both in a concert. But the point of view is so different!
If you are motivated to start a journey in AI, or you have already taken the first steps, that’s great! Learning Artificial Intelligence was one of the few smart decisions I made in the last 15 years, as a parent and as a professional.
The impact of AI is already evident in various aspects of our lives: however, it's important to approach AI with a critical eye and consider the ethical implications of this technology.
For those who are motivated to explore the world of AI, now is the perfect time to start. With the right mindset and resources, anyone can learn AI and apply it to their personal and professional goals. Whether you're a spectator or a player in this exciting field, the possibilities are endless. So why wait? Start exploring AI today and discover the incredible possibilities that await you!
I read an amazing book and I want to share with you few practical applications: “Building LLM-Powered Applications” by Valentina Alto is probably the best tool if you want a solid foundation and practical example of AI. You will find here also few hacks to run an AI agent with only free tools at zero costs"! It is my creative way to build LLM powered applications.
And this is my gift for this week, a good recommendation in the adventure of learning generative AI
This is only the start!
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