Artificial intelligence, or AI, already touches many parts of health care, from helping doctors read scans and perform procedures to identifying medical conditions before symptoms appear.

Northwestern Medicine is accelerating this change through a collaboration with Founders Factory, a startup accelerator that supports emerging AI tech companies across Europe, including the UK.

Together, the goal is to scale AI-powered healthcare solutions to improve patient care through:

• Improved patient safety
• Expanded research and clinical trials
• More personalized, compassionate care experiences

“This work aligns with our broader focus on advancing new models of patient care, supporting research and improving how we operate through thoughtful use of technology,” says Doug King, chief digital and information officer at Northwestern Medicine.

Why AI Is Gaining Ground in Health Care

AI tools are increasingly used to help medical professionals:

• Detect disease sooner
• Manage complex conditions
• Make more informed treatment decisions
• Conduct research
• Reduce administrative tasks
• Improve the safety and reliability of patient-centered care

AI is also helping scientists develop new medications and making clinical trials more effective by connecting the right patients with studies and analyzing data faster.

Industry estimates suggest that, if widely adopted, AI in health care could help prevent up to 250,000 deaths worldwide by 2030.

A Bridge Between Europe and the Midwest

The UK is widely recognized as a global leader in science, technology and healthcare innovation. London, in particular, ranks among the world’s top tech ecosystems, and Founders Factory is known as one of the country’s leading startup hubs.  

Through a four-month accelerator program, European AI tech startups receive:

• Funding and hands-on product development support from Founders Factory
• Direct access to the United States healthcare market
• Opportunities to collaborate with Northwestern Medicine clinicians to address real healthcare challenges

Selected startups can test, deploy and scale their solutions within the clinical environment at Northwestern Medicine (11 hospitals and over 200 outpatient and diagnostic sites), as well as its affiliated health system, The London Clinic.

Participating startups also take part in a one-week immersive program in Chicago, where company founders work directly with care teams, scientists and operational leaders to ensure their tech solutions align with real-world healthcare needs.

“Northwestern Medicine is committed to accelerating innovation that meaningfully improves patient care, advances research and strengthens the way health care is delivered,” says King. “This collaboration with Founders Factory creates a powerful bridge between world-class European talent and one of America’s leading academic health systems.”

Bringing Innovation to Patients

As AI continues to shape the future of medicine, collaborations like this one are helping close the gap between innovation and impact — bringing new ideas closer to the patients who need them most.