Shanghai, Macao launch joint AI medical research hub

The China Macao-Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Translational Medicine Center was recently inaugurated at the Macau University of Science and Technology, establishing the first collaborative platform between Shanghai and Macao dedicated to merging AI with translational medicine.

The center, initiated by the Macau University of Science and Technology foundation, is jointly established by the Macao Translational Medicine Center, Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, and the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence.

The center maintains bases in both Shanghai and Macao, aiming to enhance technological coordination between the two cities and accelerate the transformation of AI research achievements in healthcare.

"This dual-center mechanism represents a breakthrough innovation that harnesses the advantages of Macao and Shanghai to advance human health," said Hsiang Mei Su, member of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPPCC and director of administration of the Macao Translational Medicine Center. "While Shanghai drives innovation through its AI capabilities, Macao serves as a bridge connecting domestic and international resources while gathering cutting-edge medical research findings."

Shanghai's prominence in AI healthcare is substantial, according to Song Haitao, director of Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute. "Shanghai houses one-third of China's core AI enterprises, vast clinical datasets from premier hospitals, and a sophisticated biomedical industry," Song said, highlighting the city's advanced research infrastructure, including the National Facility for Translational Medicine (Shanghai).

The institute has formed an international collaborative network spanning Southeast Asia, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Yangtze River Delta region, forging partnerships with institutions like the National University of Singapore.

In Macao, the center builds upon the foundation of the Macao Translational Medicine Center, established in March 2024. "The collaborative center's inauguration will catalyze the translation of biomedical research into clinical applications and help overcome development challenges in Traditional Chinese Medicine," said He Yao, director of the Macao Translational Medicine Center.

"Beyond improving healthcare outcomes, this initiative will contribute to Macao's economic diversification," He said, noting the center's strategic partnerships with global organizations, including Springer Nature Group.

Looking ahead, the center aims to establish an international demonstration platform for AI-integrated Chinese and Western medicine and develop standardization protocols for TCM. Leveraging Macao's unique role as a connector to Portuguese-speaking countries, the center also plans to promote Chinese AI medical standards and develop a multilingual Chinese medicine thinking chain corpus.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng, O Lam, secretary for social affairs and culture of the Macao SAR Government, and other officials from both regions.