The Ottawa Medical AI Research Institute (OMARI) is the uOttawa hub for advancing responsible and innovative uses of artificial intelligence in healthcare. By bringing together researchers, clinicians, and data experts, the institute focuses on developing AI solutions that strengthen health systems and improve patient care—all grounded in strong ethics and collaboration across Ottawa’s major hospitals.

Research priorities

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OMARI’s research focuses on three main themes: responsible and ethical AI, clinical applications, and the societal implications of AI in healthcare. This means exploring how to build AI systems that are fair, accountable, and governed by strong data practices, while also developing tools that can meaningfully support diagnosis, treatment, and everyday clinical decision‑making. Close partnerships with institutions like CHEO, The Ottawa Hospital, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute anchor this work in real‑world health settings, ensuring that new ideas have a direct path to improving care.

Knowledge sharing and publications

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OMARI regularly disseminates insights through newsletters, articles, and research updates that help clinicians, policymakers, and researchers stay informed about emerging trends in medical AI. These communications highlight new developments such as pathways from AI research to medical device software, updates on innovation programs, event summaries, and discussions of regulatory considerations. By providing clear, accessible updates, OMARI strengthens the knowledge network around ethical and effective deployment of AI in healthcare. 

Training and talent development

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To prepare the next generation of medical AI leaders, OMARI offers specialized training opportunities for graduate students, clinicians, and researchers. These learning pathways include education on AI tools, data methods, ethics, and responsible innovation practices. By supporting both technical and ethical skill development, the institute ensures that the future of medical AI is shaped by well‑equipped professionals capable of delivering safe and meaningful improvements to patient care. 

Tools, data and research resources

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OMARI expands access to high‑quality research tools and datasets to help accelerate medical AI development. Among its key resources is the ARCHIMEDES platform, which provides secure access to multimodal brain‑heart datasets, analytics tools, and high‑performance computing to support collaborative health research. These resources help teams design, test, and implement AI systems while meeting national standards for data sharing, privacy, and scientific rigor. Through such platforms and curated tools, OMARI enables researchers to move more efficiently from concept to real‑world impact.

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Ottawa Medical AI Research Institute

Learn more about how OMARI is shaping the future of medical AI through ethical research, clinical innovation, training, and open research resources.