Humana, a health and well-being company, has partnered with Google Cloud to modernise its cloud infrastructure and use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for innovation in healthcare.
The multi-year partnership is intended to lower the cost of care and improve Humana’s member experiences using Google Cloud’s Generative AI capabilities.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
The latest deal builds on their existing collaboration to co-develop solutions for population health, integrating Google’s advanced AI technologies to benefit Humana’s members and patients.
Additionally, the two companies are exploring opportunities to create new solutions addressing current healthcare challenges.
Humana CEO Jim Rechtin said: “Embracing technology solutions in healthcare can help lower costs and improve consumer experiences. At Humana, we plan to use the capabilities offered by Google Cloud to make it easier for our members and patients to have affordable access to the right care at the right time.
“Google Cloud’s technology platform can make our contact centers more responsive, our provider networks simpler to navigate, healthcare coverage easier to understand and primary care better tailored to individual needs.”
Humana said the company is dedicated to the ethical application of AI, focusing on enhancing patient experiences, quality of care, and health outcomes.
The commitment includes a policy to maintain a human-in-the-loop approach whenever AI is used in clinical decision-making.
Google Cloud provides a comprehensive AI solution with infrastructure, custom chips, advanced AI models, and tools to help transform organisations.
The firm’s customers maintain control over their data. In healthcare environments, patient data is safeguarded through Google Cloud’s infrastructure and data storage solutions.
These solutions ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Additionally, each customer can apply their own security and privacy measures, Humana said.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said: “By combining Humana’s deep understanding of healthcare with Google Cloud’s cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies, Humana can unlock new possibilities for operational efficiency, clinical insights, and personalised care.
“This collaboration will empower Humana to further improve the well-being of their members and transform the delivery of healthcare.”
In February this year, American health and community care technology firm WellSky joined forces with Google Cloud to integrate generative AI technology into its solutions.