IBM www.ibm.com has just launched Watson Health, a new business unit using cognitive computing to solve complex health and medical challenges for patients, physicians, researchers, and health insurers worldwide. With cognitive computing, computers can analyze high volumes of data, understand complex questions posed in natural language, and propose evidence-based answers.
IBM’s “World Community Grid” a virtual supercomputer is helping to address health research challenges from mapping cancer markers to searching for ways to treat viruses and Ebola. More than three million computers and mobile devices used by nearly three quarters of one million people globally and 470 institutions from 80 countries have contributed virtual supercomputing power fueling more than two dozen projects on the Grid over the last eleven years.
In another project, the IBM Health Corp www.ibmhealthcorps.org a pro bono program focused on tackling health disparities around the world is working to help communities surmount challenges that currently limit access to quality healthcare.
The IBM Health Corp brings the company’s best talent together in healthcare consulting, data analytics, and cognitive computing to form small teams to help public and civil sector health organizations address critical health disparities
The program is seeking applications that may be submitted to IBM through April 20, 2016 for ideas on how to achieve the program’s goals. After IBM reviews the proposals and announces up to five winners, the company will deploy IBM’s global teams to analyze the local health challenges where the teams will then recommend solutions. The commercial value of each engagement is estimated at $500,000.
IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge http://smartercitieschallenge.org another community service program has sent problem-solving teams to nearly 130 cities worldwide with about 800 IBM experts to deliver pro bono services valued at more than $66 million.
Also, IBM’s “Corporate Service Corps” www.ibm.com.ibm/responsibility/corporatesericecorps selects and trains top management to go to emerging markets worldwide to help with economic problems. The program has helped expand women’s access to cancer screenings in Peru and decreased mother to child HIV transmission rates in Ghana.