MedAI Challenge: AI-Powered Innovation Competition in Healthcare Kicks Off

On May 20, the 2018 Shanghai Xuhui District Science and Technology Festival kicked off. Themed “Mass Innovation—Marching Toward a Globally Influential Science and Technology Innovation Hub,” the event featured ten program segments launched by the organizing committee, offering citizens a grand and richly substantive science and technology carnival.

To implement the policies outlined in the State Council’s “Development Plan for New-Generation Artificial Intelligence,” the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s “Three-Year Action Plan to Promote the Development of New-Generation Artificial Intelligence Industry (2018–2020),” and the Shanghai Municipal Government’s “Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Development of New-Generation Artificial Intelligence in This City,” and to serve the national strategy of innovation-driven development, align with the global trends of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and advance the construction of a globally influential science and technology innovation center, the MedAI Challenge (hereinafter referred to as the “Challenge”) was launched on May 20 at the Shanghai Science and Technology Festival. The event was hosted by the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the People’s Government of Xuhui District; organized by the Shanghai Academy of Urban Sensing Data Science; and co-organized by the Xuhui District Commission of Science and Technology, Bio Valley, Kesci, and Fenglin Group. Academician Mao Junfa from the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Professor Zhu Hongguang from Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University delivered opening remarks and, together with key leaders from Xuhui District, officially launched the competition.

Left: Academician Mao Junfa, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Artificial Intelligence; Right: Professor Zhu Hongguang, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University

The application of cutting-edge technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence in the medical field has become a prevailing trend. This challenge competition will focus on critical areas within healthcare—namely, pathological diagnosis and early cancer detection. The judging panel comprises renowned medical and AI experts, including Academician Liu Tonghua from the Department of Pathology at Peking Union Medical College; Professor Zhu Hongguang from the Department of Pathology at Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University; Expert Wang Detian, Director of the China Association of Medical Equipment; Dr. Jiang Liyan from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Shanghai Chest Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Professor Yang Xiaokang, Executive Vice Dean of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Professor Shen Dinggang, Co-CEO of Shanghai United Imaging Intelligence Co., Ltd.

The challenge will focus on the “gold standard” of disease diagnosis: pathological diagnosis. Pathological diagnosis is globally recognized by the medical community as the most reliable, reproducible, accurate, and authoritative diagnostic method, serving as the cornerstone of all diagnostic approaches. However, China currently faces a significant shortage of pathologists, and artificial intelligence (AI) is a crucial means to bridge this market gap. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for intelligent equipment in pathological examination to streamline workflows and accelerate differential diagnosis; yet, this technology remains a global white space. A breakthrough in this field would position the pioneer at the forefront of driving the worldwide development of pathological equipment.

This challenge is open to professionals in the global big data and AI community, as well as those in the medical and health sectors, along with experts from research institutions, startups, and universities. Cross-disciplinary team formation is encouraged. Based on the nature of the participating projects, the competition will be divided into a Team Category and an Enterprise Category. Eligible applicants include current students who have not yet registered a company, social entrepreneurship teams, and innovative internet product projects from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with growth potential.

Registration for the Challenge will open on May 20. The preliminary round will be held from May 20 to July 20, the semi-final round from July 21 to August 10, and the final on August 25. From the registered teams, 100 teams will be selected online to participate in the preliminary round. The top 10 teams will advance to the semi-final round, and the top 5 teams from the semi-finals will qualify for the final.

The competition offers substantial prizes, including cash awards of RMB 200,000 for first prize, RMB 100,000 for second prize, and RMB 50,000 for third prize. Additionally, a RMB 200 million AI investment fund has been established in collaboration with renowned investment firms, giving winning teams priority access to startup funding. Furthermore, winners will receive comprehensive incubation and support services, including access to incubation bases, mentorship from entrepreneurship coaches, resource matchmaking, and policy guidance.

The Organizing Committee cordially invites professionals and enthusiasts from all sectors who are passionate about big data, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and wellness to register for the competition. Join us to showcase your capabilities, foster collaborative growth, and drive technological advancement and industrial upgrading in the healthcare sector through technological innovation and business model transformation, thereby accelerating the deep integration of the healthcare industry with artificial intelligence technologies!

Registration Inquiry: Ms. Guo / 13918787407