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Microsoft and SilverCloud to pioneer AI in mental health

SilverCloud Health, an evidence based digital mental health company has announced a new research project with Microsoft to enhance its online offering with artificial intelligence (AI).

The organisations are using machine learning and artificial intelligence to accelerate the understanding and delivery of personalised mental healthcare that responds to each patient’s unique situation.

The technology supports early interventions by ensuring patients have access to the right support and content at the right time and in the right context. Further opportunities also exist in identifying successful patterns in therapist/supporter behaviour to improve therapeutic effectiveness.

Christopher Bishop, Lab Director, Microsoft Research, Cambridge, UK “SilverCloud Health is one of the very few digital mental health platforms that has been deployed at scale in routine clinical care, and currently has the largest real-world patient user base of its kind.”

“The aim of this project is very much aligned to our ambition to empower healthcare workers and patients through access to effective, intelligent technologies.”

Ken Cahill, CEO of SilverCloud Health “Through this exciting research collaboration with Microsoft, SilverCloud Health will be able to leverage the latest in artificial intelligence and machine learning to further enhance our digital mental health platform.”

“This truly is therapy for the 21st century; enabling more personalised treatment, earlier and easier access, and most importantly delivering ever increasing clinical outcomes.”

With over 1 million hours of therapy delivered since spinning out from research in 2012, the breadth of this data provides a unique opportunity for this deep research collaboration and will change how online therapy is delivered for the NHS.