G-quAI
Predicting Gastrointestinal Cancer Using Quantum AI
According to data from the World Health Organization, more than 500,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are detected annually, half of which result in death. Screening programs are crucial, as if colorectal cancer is detected in its early stages, the survival rate can reach 90%, but drops to only 10% in more advanced stages. Current diagnostic methods, such as CT colonography and colonoscopy, face challenges: each exam generates large volumes of high-resolution gastrointestinal images, whose analysis is complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors, and small lesions or polyps can go undetected.
The Faculty of Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), the Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), and the Center for Social Studies (CES) are exploring advances in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the detection and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. Although quantum computing is still in its inception, in the coming years it will be possible to use quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to revolutionize the detection and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer.
With the support of the Open Quantum Institute (OQI), the G-quAI project proposes to develop a proof of concept (PoC) of a quantum computing solution, based on Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs) and Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVMs) that will contribute to the more efficient processing of vast volumes of gastrointestinal image data, making their analysis and anomaly detection more efficient, contributing to the early detection of malignant lesions by healthcare professionals.
The CES team will support the implementation of this PoC by working on the creation of imaging data collection protocols in collaboration with healthcare institutions and the participation of patient associations, promoting the inclusion, ethics and social relevance of ongoing technological development, as well as its global contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 9, 10, 11 and 17.
• Open Quantum Institute (OQI) – Facilitates multistakeholder collaboration for quantic computing applications for SDGs.
• Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA)
• World Health Organization (OMS/WHO)
• University of Coimbra: Faculty of Technology (FCTUC), and School of Medicine (FMUC).