Healthcare AI Guy Weekly Newsletter | 1/30

Our Picks ✨

Highlights if you’ve only got 2 minutes…

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Prophetic is using AI to revolutionize sleep science

Tech startup Prophetic just introduced Morpheus-1, named after the Greek god of sleep, and is described as the world's first ‘multimodal generative ultrasonic transformer’. Morpheus is a device designed to let users control their dreams.

• Morpheus-1 combines machine learning, electroencephalogram (EEG) data, and ultrasound waves to detect REM sleep and trigger dream states that users can control.

• A halo-like headband detects brain waves and stimulates specific brain areas with ultrasound beams tied to conscious dreaming.

• There is a companion app tracking sleep phases and collecting dream data to refine the AI models

• The beta program will begin this spring

This isn’t just sleep tech. With so much still left to understand about the brain and sleep, devices like this could be a potential key to unlocking the secrets of human consciousness. (link)

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AI chatbots serving as a lifeline for students with mental health

A new Stanford University study revealed a surprising ally in mental health: AI chatbots. Over 1,000 students using the AI companion app, Replika, found a friend in the chatbot, combating severe loneliness and even preventing suicide. Key details below:

• 90% of the participants reported loneliness (43% severely), compared to 53% typically among students.

• Many students used Replika as a loyal friend, therapist, or "personal mirror," experiencing reduced anxiety.

• 30 students said its 24/7 availability to listen without judgment stopped them from attempting suicide.

Despite some societal taboos, AI companions are gaining traction. They offer stigma-free support, especially vital for the mental well-being of younger generations—all generations for that matter. As mental health struggles continue, AI companions like Replika fill a real gap. These products can scale infinitely and provide constant, judgment-free support for at-risk folks. (link)

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AI battles misinformation?

We’re wise to remember that no one is immune to misinformation. Last week, a British scientist used AI to discover manipulated data in cancer research findings at Harvard’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The scientist said he used a combination of AI image analysis software ImageTwin and manual detection to look for errors in the papers.

We know AI can accelerate misinformation…but what if it also can decelerate it? (link)

Tool Box 🧰

Latest on business, consumer, and clinical healthcare AI tools and partnerships…

🔧 Deliberate AI: The FDA’s new ‘ISTAND’ pilot program for unconventional drug development solutions has accepted its first AI-powered tool: Deliberate AI’s depression and anxiety assessment. Deliberate AI’s solution takes in patient data (e.g. facial expressions, speech behaviors, pupil changes) to generate zero-bias mental health assessments that can be used during clinical trials. (link)

🔧 RoboChem: University of Amsterdam researchers developed RoboChem, an autonomous AI robot for chemical synthesis that outperforms human chemists in speed and accuracy. (link)

🔧 Lumin Fitness: Lumin Fitness scales AI-powered studios in franchise deal. (link)

🤝 Humana + Tempus: Tempus, an AI-based genetic testing company, announced it has signed an agreement to become an in-network provider for Humana. The deal will provide Humana's 13 million+ members access to Tempus' suite of molecular profiling tests for cancer. (link)

🤝 Highmark + Cognoa: Cognoa, maker of the first FDA-approved autism diagnostic tool, signed Highmark as its first commercial payer partner. The tool, Canvas Dx, leverages AI to empower doctors to quickly and accurately diagnose developmental risk without bias. (link)

Deal Desk 💸 

Spotlight on latest capital raises, M&A and investments…

📈 Turquoise Health: a healthcare pricing platform based in San Diego, raised $30M in Series B funding. Adams Street Partners led and was joined by Yosemite, a16z and BoxGroup. (link)

📈 Oxford Medical Simulation: a VR medical training startup based in Boston, raised $12.6M in Series A funding. Frog Capital led, and was joined by ACF Investors. (link)

📈 CardioSignal: a developer of heart disease detection technology raised $10M in Series A funding. DigiTx Partners led the round and was joined by Sandwater and existing investor MakiVC. (link)

Other Relevant News 🔍

News, podcasts, blogs, tweets, resources, etc…

• AI can create effective mental health therapy at scale (link)

• Northwell using AI to reap efficiencies needed to handle Medicare, Medicaid cuts (link)

• Four guiding principles for adopting generative AI in healthcare (link)

• AI, new tech among top management risks providers face in 2024 (link)

• Support clinical decision-making with AI applications (link)

• How AI will — and won't — change healthcare (link)

• Two health system CEOs discuss maximizing AI’s potential (link)

Visuals of the Week 📸

Funny memes, cool pics, and interesting data from around the web…