RGU leads multi-million-pound pioneering AI health initiative

At the heart of the study is a smart mirror device, known as an iCare Health Hub, which imitates the work of a caring, knowledgeable health coach. It tracks heart rate and other important health indicators in adolescents and young adults (AYA), then uses Al to offer tips on exercise, diet, and stress relief. 

If the mirror spots a warning sign— like high blood pressure or elevated stress levels — then it suggests checking in with a doctor. It is hoped that the innovation will lead to a 15% reduction in hospital visits related to heart issues.

Professor Nirmalie Wiratunga, Associate Dean for Research at RGU’s School of Computing, Engineering, and Technology, is also lead of the University’s AI & Reasoning Group. She said: “I’m passionate about bridging a critical gap in healthcare for young cancer survivors, especially the long-term heart risks that often go unnoticed. By harnessing AI, we can provide a personal, empathetic health companion that helps people manage their day-to-day well-being.

“We want to show how AI can be a force for good in healthcare, by highlighting the importance of explainable and transparent AI. We hope that by responsible use of AI, and through its continuous monitoring and personalised intervention it can help reduce the risk of major cardiac events in young cancer survivors by 30%.” 

While the smart mirror is not making medical decisions, it’s there every day, giving tailored advice to help young cancer survivors stay on top of their heart health and feel supported. The overall project focuses on preventing late effects, health issues that can emerge after cancer treatment.

Professor Xavier del Toro García, an Associate Professor at the Universidad de Castilla–La Mancha in Central Spain, is also leading on the project. He said: “AI will play a central role and the advances in recent years and the pace in which this field is evolving makes it even difficult to foresee what the project can achieve in the next four years.

“On the other hand, it is very challenging to address what trustworthy AI implies and requires in digital solutions for health and carer. For us, as technical lead, it is an honour and brings a great deal of certainty to have RGU and the group lead by Professor Nirmali Wiratunga on board with their expertise and strong background in this field.”

In addition to the project expecting to achieve a 15% reduction in hospital visits, it will also promote healthier lifestyles among the broader AYA population. Even small changes, such as a 5-10% weight loss, could lead to a 10-20% decrease in heart disease risk, highlighting the significant impact of preventative measures.

RGU’s AI & Reasoning Group also includes RGU experts Dr Ike Nksisi-Orji, an RGU Chancellor’s Fellow, and Dr Mark Snaith, Lecturer at RGU’s School of Computing, Engineering, and Technology. 

It leads on the development of the conversational AI that underpins the device and ensures the AI-generated content is ethically sound and clinically acceptable Professor Kay Cooper from RGU’s School of Health will also be working closely with medical partners across the MAYA (consortium, which is made up of more than a dozen of partners from academia, patient groups and digital industries.

The research, which begins in Summer 2025, is funded by the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) programme under ‘Research and Innovation Actions supporting the Mission on Cancer (HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01)’. It is an official HORIZON-RIA project under the Horizon Action Grant scheme.

The team making up the MAYA Horizon EU consortium is a large-scale collaboration of 16 partners—including universities, research institutes, patient associations, and technology companies—across multiple European countries . It’s led jointly by Panepistimio Ioanninon in Greece and Universidad de Castilla–La Mancha in Spain.

Main image: One of the mirrors to be used as part of the project