Australia’s first AI supercomputer built specifically for medical research has gone live in Tullamarine, with experts hoping it will fast-track diagnoses and treatments for major diseases including cancer and heart conditions.
Housed at NEXTDC’S data centre, the NVIDA DGX H200 supercomputer will be operated by the Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI), based at La Trobe University.
It was funded with $10 million from the state government.
The machine can process 3D medical imaging and huge volumes of patient data in a matter of hours –tasks that would otherwise take days or weeks.
Researchers said this speed could sharpen clinical trials and bring personalised therapies closer to reality.
La Trobe vice-chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said: “The potential of AI in medical and biotech research is huge. The DGX H200 enables faster translation of research into clinical trials and personalised therapies”.
The technology will be used to support work in areas like digital pathology, cardiovascular risk prediction, and cancer relapse forecasting.
Economic Growth and Jobs Minister Danny Pearson said Victoria is proud to be home to the supercomputer that will deliver “more medical breakthroughs and improve the healthcare for Victorians and people around the world”.
“There are now three world-leading centres of medical research – Boston, London and Victoria– and this ground-breaking technology will support our world-leading researchers to accelerate medical innovations in the state.”
