ARC, the global health innovation engine and transformation arm of the world-renowned Sheba Medical Center, has announced the launch of three groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. These new developments aim to revolutionize hospital care and healthcare delivery, positioning Sheba as a global leader in AI-powered medical innovation. The initiatives include the state-of-the-art AI Center, Project K—the world's first AI-driven emergency department, and the Sheba AI Academy.
The announcement follows Sheba's recent recognition as the eighth-best hospital in the world by Newsweek, underscoring the institution's leadership in healthcare. The new AI-focused initiatives promise to reshape how AI is integrated into every aspect of hospital operations, from diagnostics to emergency care and clinical training. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies, ARC aims to enhance patient outcomes, streamline hospital workflows, and ultimately set a new standard for AI-driven healthcare across the globe.
A New Era of AI-Driven Healthcare Innovation
At the heart of this transformation is the ARC AI Center, a pioneering hub that will unite startups, research projects, and technology companies under one roof. The AI Center's mission is clear: to turn Sheba Medical Center into the world's leading AI-based hospital. Dr. Ayelet Akselrod-Ballin, a world-renowned AI expert, has been appointed as the center's Director and Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Akselrod-Ballin will lead efforts to develop AI solutions focused on early disease detection, precision diagnostics, and personalized medicine, helping drive the next wave of advancements in healthcare.
In addition to fostering AI-driven research and development, the AI Center will integrate existing AI technologies into Sheba's operations and explore new AI-driven healthcare solutions needed in the market. This ambitious ecosystem will not only accelerate medical innovation but also ensure that the latest AI-powered tools and systems are effectively incorporated into Sheba's daily workflows.
"Joining ARC at this pivotal moment for AI in healthcare presents an opportunity to advance the integration of AI across all facets of medicine—from diagnostics and treatment planning to personalized patient care. The AI Center is a significant step toward embedding AI into clinical workflows, ensuring that medical professionals have the tools to improve efficiency and outcomes. With Sheba's extensive medical data resources, strong partnerships, and commitment to innovation, we are positioned to develop AI solutions that will shape the future of medicine at scale," Dr. Akselrod-Ballin said.
Training the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals
Parallel to the AI Center, ARC is also launching the Sheba AI Academy, an educational institution designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven medical environment. The academy will offer a blend of online courses, hands-on workshops, and real-world application training, ensuring that every medical professional at Sheba becomes AI-enabled.
Prof. Eyal Zimlichman, Director of ARC Innovation and Sheba's Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: "With these launches, we are not just implementing AI in medicine; we are building the world's first truly AI-powered hospital. AI will drive everything from patient intake to clinical decision-making, from research to emergency care."
By the end of 2025, the academy aims to train 100% of Sheba's medical professionals in the fundamentals of AI. Furthermore, the academy will establish a global certification program to set new standards for AI competency in healthcare.
Project K: Revolutionizing Emergency Medicine with AI
Perhaps the most exciting initiative is Project K, the world's first AI-powered emergency department (ED). Already in its pilot phase, Project K aims to address the common challenges faced by emergency departments worldwide—overwhelming patient volumes, long wait times, and the need for rapid, accurate diagnoses.
Using AI, the system will allow patients to provide their medical history once, with the AI compiling a comprehensive health summary for the doctor. This system will save time, reduce paperwork, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance the overall patient experience. Additionally, AI will assist physicians by recommending imaging and laboratory tests and providing clinical decision support. This will enable doctors to prioritize critical patients and manage multiple cases simultaneously.
"AI is no longer an abstract concept—it is a tangible force transforming healthcare," said Prof. Yitshak Kreiss, Director General of Sheba Medical Center. "With the AI Center, Sheba AI Academy, and Project K, we are embedding AI into the very fabric of hospital care. These initiatives will ensure faster, smarter, and more personalized treatment for patients, while empowering the next generation of medical professionals with cutting-edge AI expertise."
A Commitment to AI-Powered Healthcare
These initiatives are backed by reinvested profits from the successful exits of Innovalve and Belkin—two health-tech startups incubated by ARC. This strategic reinvestment validates ARC's ability to nurture and commercialize breakthrough health technologies and proves the sustainability of its innovation ecosystem.
"This is the beginning of a transformation that will make hospital care more precise, efficient, and patient-centered than ever before," Prof. Zimlichman said. "And what makes this even more extraordinary is that we are reinvesting our own health-tech success to fund the future of medicine."
