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Children’s National launches Division of AI Research to lead the future of artificial intelligence in pediatric medicine
New division will build infrastructure to bring trustworthy, clinically grounded AI to help care for kids
Children’s National Hospital has launched the Division of AI Research (DAIR), a new system-wide initiative designed to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools specifically for children’s health. The division will serve as a central hub connecting clinicians, scientists, engineers and trainees working to apply AI and digital health technologies to pediatric medicine. Many leading children’s hospitals are investing in AI, but most programs remain spread across individual labs or informatics departments. Establishing a standalone Division of AI Research reflects a long-term institutional commitment to building trustworthy, clinically grounded AI for children.
AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, but children remain significantly underrepresented in AI research. While more than a quarter of the world’s population is under 18, a disproportionately smaller fraction of AI studies focus on pediatric populations. Pediatric diseases are often rare, datasets are smaller, and clinical needs are highly specialized, making it harder to develop reliable algorithms without dedicated infrastructure.
“Children cannot simply rely on AI tools built for adults,” said Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chief academic officer at Children’s National and director of the Children’s National Research Institute. “If we want AI to truly improve care for children, we need research programs designed specifically around pediatric data, pediatric diseases and pediatric clinical practice. The Division of AI Research gives us the structure to do that.”
The new division will be led by Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MSc, an internationally recognized leader in pediatric AI, Connor Family Professor and chair of Research and Innovation at Children’s National. His team has helped develop AI tools for brain imaging, cardiac diagnostics, genetic disorders and other complex conditions, helping to position Children’s National as a global leader in pediatric AI.
The Division of AI Research will provide hospital-wide support for investigators, including consultation, mentorship, data resources and pathways to clinical validation. The goal is to help turn real clinical problems into rigorous research projects and, ultimately, tools that can improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.
“Pediatric AI must think like pediatric specialists who work with limited data and the complexity of diseases unique to children,” said Dr. Linguraru. “By creating a dedicated division, we bring clinicians and scientists together to share resources, understand clinical needs, and rapidly turn ideas into real impact for patients.”
The division is also expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Children’s National for federal funding, philanthropy and industry partnerships, while supporting the hospital’s broader mission to improve the lives of children everywhere. AI tools developed for pediatrics have the potential to improve early detection of disease, guide precision treatments and expand access to care, particularly in settings where pediatric specialists are scarce.
The division will also support internal investigators through project intake, mentorship and pilot funding opportunities, helping move ideas from concept to funded research and ultimately to clinical use.
Researchers and clinicians interested in working with the Division of AI Research can learn more, register projects or submit ideas online.
AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, but children remain significantly underrepresented in AI research. While more than a quarter of the world’s population is under 18, a disproportionately smaller fraction of AI studies focus on pediatric populations. Pediatric diseases are often rare, datasets are smaller, and clinical needs are highly specialized, making it harder to develop reliable algorithms without dedicated infrastructure.
“Children cannot simply rely on AI tools built for adults,” said Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chief academic officer at Children’s National and director of the Children’s National Research Institute. “If we want AI to truly improve care for children, we need research programs designed specifically around pediatric data, pediatric diseases and pediatric clinical practice. The Division of AI Research gives us the structure to do that.”
The new division will be led by Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MSc, an internationally recognized leader in pediatric AI, Connor Family Professor and chair of Research and Innovation at Children’s National. His team has helped develop AI tools for brain imaging, cardiac diagnostics, genetic disorders and other complex conditions, helping to position Children’s National as a global leader in pediatric AI.
The Division of AI Research will provide hospital-wide support for investigators, including consultation, mentorship, data resources and pathways to clinical validation. The goal is to help turn real clinical problems into rigorous research projects and, ultimately, tools that can improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.
“Pediatric AI must think like pediatric specialists who work with limited data and the complexity of diseases unique to children,” said Dr. Linguraru. “By creating a dedicated division, we bring clinicians and scientists together to share resources, understand clinical needs, and rapidly turn ideas into real impact for patients.”
The division is also expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Children’s National for federal funding, philanthropy and industry partnerships, while supporting the hospital’s broader mission to improve the lives of children everywhere. AI tools developed for pediatrics have the potential to improve early detection of disease, guide precision treatments and expand access to care, particularly in settings where pediatric specialists are scarce.
The division will also support internal investigators through project intake, mentorship and pilot funding opportunities, helping move ideas from concept to funded research and ultimately to clinical use.
Researchers and clinicians interested in working with the Division of AI Research can learn more, register projects or submit ideas online.
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- Excecutive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
- Director, Children's National Research Institute
- Emergency Medicine Physician
Nathan Kuppermann, MD
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Departments
- Principal Investigator
- Connor Family Professor, Research and Innovation