Children and patients with rare diseases are underrepresented in AI research despite being a large portion of the global population. Prof. Linguraru’s talk highlights critical challenges in pediatric healthcare, including limited access to specialists, the global burden of rare diseases, and persistent disparities in care delivery. Using real world projects and examples, he illustrates how AI-driven medical imaging enables early diagnosis and improves treatment outcomes--when applied responsibly.
Looking ahead, AI is positioned to augment human expertise, expand access to care, and reduce healthcare costs--if its adoption is equitable, trusted, and supported by strong governance. The talk advocates for responsible and sustainable AI development to ensure that technological advances translate into improved health outcomes for children everywhere.
Marius George Linguraru, DPhil MA MSc FMICCAI is a distinguished leader in AI and medical imaging research dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children and patients with rare diseases. He is the inaugural Director of the Division of AI Research and Connor Family Professor and Endowed Chair in Research and Innovation at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, where he has built institutional capacity in machine learning and quantitative imaging. Dr. Linguraru is also Professor of Radiology and Pediatrics at The George Washington University, a co-founder of PediaMetrix Inc., and previously held research positions at the National Institutes of Health (USA) and at the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (France). He earned his doctorate from the University of Oxford and completed a fellowship at Harvard University.
Dr. Linguraru is the President of the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) Society and has held leadership roles in major scientific organizations, including the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), the IEEE Signal Processing Society, and the Society of Medical Information Processing and Analysis (SIPAIM). His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Excellence in Engineering Award at the UK Parliament, the Distinguished Service Award of the IEEE EMBS, and the election as a Fellow of the MICCAI Society. His work and impact have been featured by international media outlets including The Economist, The Washington Post, and The Times (London). He is a speaker in high demand and has advised international institutions on strategic AI initiatives for the future of healthcare.
