The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a musculoskeletal health institution, has received support from philanthropic venture Schmidt Futures to support its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning research and development efforts.

The philanthropic initiative, founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, will establish the HSS Data Innovation Lab, creating the world's largest curated musculoskeletal data ecosystem.

This lab aims to bring together AI researchers and clinicians to modernise healthcare delivery, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for improved healthcare through better data and advanced analytics.

HSS chief performance officer Scott DeNegre said: “The future of musculoskeletal care delivery will be driven by expertise increasingly augmented with data and technology to expand access, monitor musculoskeletal health, study movement, and prevent disease.

“We have a timely opportunity to marry the foremost experts in medicine, data science, and technology to design a better system of care.”

The initiative seeks to leverage AI to transform healthcare by enhancing medical decision-making, treatment planning, and providing personalised care at scale.

This lab's data ecosystem will explore disease generation, injury risk factors, and treatment options across diverse patient backgrounds.

The outcomes of the lab will be shared globally to advance musculoskeletal healthcare and contribute to longer and healthier lives.

HSS president and CEO Bryan T Kelly said: “Together, we can not only revolutionise the delivery system but also democratise high-quality care and enable access for underserved communities across the globe.”

Affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS operates in multiple locations, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

In addition to patient care, HSS specialises in research, innovation, and education, with a dedicated Research Institute, Innovation Institute, and Education Institute.