Alberta expanding use of AI technology that speeds up MRIs after successful pilot

Alberta investing in AI to speed up MRIs
Alberta investing in AI to speed up MRIs
Alberta's Hospitals Minister Adriana LaGrange speaks at a news conference, in Calgary on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
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The Alberta government says it will spend $14 million on artificial intelligence technology that speeds up the MRI testing process.

The government says the decision was made after a successful pilot program that began last year lead to almost 12,000 more MRIs being done.

It says the technology is installed directly to MRI machines in hospitals and improves image clarity while also shortening examination times.

Hospitals Minister Adriana LaGrange says a record number of MRIs were completed in Alberta last year and that the money will increase the province's testing capacity and reduce wait times.

The government says the technology is expected to be installed provincewide by 2028.

It says that patient data will remain safe and that the technology does not transmit individual records or information to outside networks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2026.

Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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