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SAS and NC State's AI Think & Do Tank: A New Era in Health Research

In a significant collaboration, SAS Institute and North Carolina State University have announced the launch of the SAS Think & Do Tank, marking a pivotal moment in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), human health research, nutrition, and environmental resilience. This initiative reflects half a century of partnership that began with SAS's origins in an agricultural research project at NC State.

The Vision Behind the Partnership

SAS, a leader in analytics and AI solutions, will integrate its extensive experience with NC State's interdisciplinary research capabilities. The partnership aims to harness advanced data analytics to tackle pressing health challenges and expedite the path to new treatments. As SAS CEO Jim Goodnight emphasized, the need for responsible technology use is more critical than ever. This initiative seeks to equip the next generation of innovators with the tools and judgment necessary to impact society positively.

NC State Chancellor Kevin Howell highlighted the ongoing relationship between SAS and the university, stating their collaboration will open doors for students, faculty, and industry partners to apply AI purposefully. The focus is on ensuring that this technology translates into meaningful and positive societal outcomes.

Addressing Health Challenges with AI

One of the primary research efforts within the Think & Do Tank will concentrate on translational predictive biology. This emerging discipline aims to utilize sophisticated biological models alongside data analytics and AI to enhance predictions about diseases and potential treatments. Researchers at NC State will develop a framework connecting laboratory studies to real-world biological systems, employing cutting-edge technologies like organoids (simplified organ models) and organ-on-chip devices.

The long-term objective is to create more reliable predictive models, thereby allowing researchers to identify promising treatments at earlier stages and to comprehend the factors that dictate the success or failure of certain interventions. This could significantly reduce the time and costs associated with bringing new therapies to market.

However, this endeavor also introduces a complex data challenge. With vast intricacies arising from cellular, structural, and molecular datasets, traditional AI models may face difficulties in establishing patterns that are universally applicable across different biological contexts. Hence, the research team aims to devise AI methodologies specifically tailored for such intricate datasets, focusing on conceptualizing biological relationships and quantifying uncertainties in their findings.

The fruits of these innovations are expected to lead to actionable insights into biological responses and inform researchers which potential interventions merit further investigation. Ultimately, this work could contribute to constructing AI-optimized research datasets, facilitating inter-study comparisons, pattern recognition, and hypothesis generation.

The Hands-On Experience for Students

SAS will assume a key role as a technical partner throughout the collaboration, providing vital resources, cutting-edge AI software tools, and expertise in responsible AI practices. Students and faculty will benefit from experiential learning opportunities, engaging directly with advanced analytics as they apply them to cutting-edge research projects. This hands-on experience is crucial for instilling ethical data handling and transparency within the field.

A Scalable Model for Future Research

Designed as a scalable two-year pilot program, the SAS Think & Do Tank aims to establish a governance and collaboration model for research that could potentially expand to include other disciplines and institutions in the future. This initiative also aligns with SAS’s broader commitment to innovation and NC State's