AI Research Unit

In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly expanded across all sectors of society, driven particularly by advances in technologies known as deep learning. A major strength of deep learning is its broad applicability to problems in which the relationship between inputs and outputs can be clearly defined. In the field of dentistry, AI is increasingly being introduced as a means of addressing diverse clinical needs, including diagnostic support, image analysis, and optimization of treatment planning.

In addition, a new class of technologies known as generative AI has attracted significant attention. Generative AI learns from large-scale datasets and can automatically generate new images, text, audio, and other forms of content. Its innovative applications are also highly anticipated in the dental field.

Against this background, the AI Research Unit was established in April 2024 under the direct administration of the Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry. The AI Research Unit applies cutting-edge technologies, including generative AI, broadly to dental and oral science research. With a perspective that also extends to the life sciences, the Unit is pursuing challenges that have been difficult to address using conventional approaches, focusing on the four research themes shown in the figure below.

The AI Research Unit also aims to support research conducted by all members of the School of Dentistry, the Graduate School of Dentistry, and the Osaka University Dental Hospital. To this end, the Unit provides consultations for faculty members, hospital dentists, graduate students, and other members of departments within the School and Graduate School regarding the potential application of AI to their individual research projects and the development of new AI models.

When requesting a consultation, please first organize what types of data you have, such as images, compositional information, and experimental conditions, and what you would like AI to output based on those inputs. Please then contact us using the consultation request form below.

Consultation Request Form
Available here.

For corporate partners, we kindly ask that you first use Osaka University’s Academic Consultation service. You may then consider options such as commissioned research, collaborative research, the establishment of a joint research course, or the establishment of a collaborative research institute.

The AI Research Unit distributes information on AI and related technologies via a mailing list on an irregular basis. If you would like to subscribe to the mailing list, please contact Professor Yamaguchi.