About Us

The AI at VP&S Initiative is dedicated to empowering the physicians, physician-scientists, and research scientists at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center to lead the AI revolution in healthcare. Our mission is to spearhead innovative, safe, and equitable AI through collaborative research, transformative education, bi-directional community engagement, and patient-centered and clinician-supportive approaches.

Artificial intelligence is transforming medicine by generating new biomedical insights, optimizing decision-making, and improving access to care for diverse populations. AI-driven technologies can support clinicians in diagnosing diseases more accurately, personalizing treatments, and streamlining hospital operations, ultimately leading to safer, more efficient, and more equitable healthcare. By integrating AI into clinical practice, we can also enhance clinician satisfaction by reducing administrative burdens and allowing healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most—caring for patients.

As AI adoption accelerates, so does the need for AI literacy among healthcare workers. Without a solid understanding of these technologies, clinicians risk misusing AI tools, resisting beneficial innovations, or missing opportunities to improve patient outcomes. To fully leverage AI’s potential, healthcare professionals must be equipped to critically evaluate AI-driven solutions, understand their limitations, and integrate them effectively into daily practice.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. Our interdisciplinary expertise spans medicine, data science, and engineering, providing a robust infrastructure for AI research, education, and implementation. Through training programs, cutting-edge research, and collaborative initiatives, we empower clinicians and healthcare leaders to navigate the evolving AI landscape with confidence. 

As AI becomes an essential component of modern healthcare, those who fail to embrace it will be at a disadvantage. By fostering AI literacy and innovation, we ensure that the VP&S medical community remains at the forefront of this revolution—delivering better care, advancing medical knowledge, and shaping the future of healthcare.