The University of Texas Research, Engineering, and Application Laboratory for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence (UT REAL Health AI) is a systemwide initiative designed to position the University of Texas System as a national leader in the responsible development, evaluation, and implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Following a successful legislative request, the UT System received $15 million in funding for the first year, enabling the initiative to kick off its foundational work. In partnership with the UT Health Intelligence Platform (UT-HIP), UT REAL Health AI brings together the UT System’s health-related institutions to build a coordinated framework for innovation, oversight, and education in the use of AI technologies.
UT REAL Health AI seeks to create a secure and collaborative infrastructure that enables the development of AI tools to enhance patient care, support clinicians, and improve operational efficiency across the state. Central to this mission are several interconnected workgroups, each focused on a critical aspect of AI adoption:
Pilot Projects Workgroup Identifies high-value clinical use cases and implements pilot AI tools across participating institutions. Deliverables include measurable outcomes that improve patient care, operational efficiency, and clinical workflows, setting the stage for broader systemwide adoption.
Model Management Workgroup Oversees AI models throughout their lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. Deliverables include model validation reports, continuous monitoring frameworks, and standardized documentation to maintain transparency and reliability.
Education and Upskilling Workgroup Develops training programs and educational resources to prepare clinicians, researchers, and operational staff for the safe and effective use of AI technologies. Deliverables include workshops, online learning modules, and certification programs that build systemwide expertise.
Maturity Assessment Workgroup Evaluates institutional readiness and adoption metrics, ensuring alignment with UT System goals and ethical standards. Deliverables include maturity assessment reports, benchmarking analyses, and recommendations to guide institutions toward sustainable AI integration.
In support of this mission, UT REAL Health AI has partnered with Qualified Health (QH) to implement secure, HIPAA-compliant AI tools and clinical use cases across UT institutions. This collaboration combines academic leadership with industry expertise to accelerate responsible AI
deployment, improve systemwide efficiency, and ensure measurable value for patients and providers across Texas.
This is just the beginning. UT REAL Health AI plans to evolve and expand over time, further advancing the UT System as a leading health system in AI while maintaining transparency, regulatory compliance, and public trust.
