Name: Martin Stumpe
New title: Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Danaher
Previous title: Chief of AI, Tempus
Danaher has appointed Martin Stumpe to the newly created position of chief data and artificial intelligence officer.
The company, which owns diagnostics and life sciences businesses including Beckman Coulter and Cepheid, said the appointment reflects its increasing investment in AI as “a driving force for innovation and productivity.” Danaher is focused on AI by also spending on its internal capabilities and partnering with academic groups.
Stumpe established his healthcare AI credentials at Google, where he founded the cancer pathology project and worked on initiatives such as the application of deep learning to the detection of metastatic breast cancer. At Tempus, Stumpe helped to build an AI and data science department to support activities such as response predictions and biomarker discovery.
Jose-Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, Danaher’s chief science officer, said in a statement that Stumpe’s “extensive experience in leveraging AI to drive scientific and operational progress will be critical in further supporting Danaher's AI and data strategy to advance innovation.”
Danaher discussed its use of AI in its annual financial filing in February. The company said it was in the “initial stages” of incorporating AI into its business activities and product and service offerings. AI is creating new risks, Danaher said. The risks extend beyond flawed algorithms or the use of biased training data.
“Any disruption or failure in the AI functionality we incorporate into our business activities, products or services could adversely impact our business or result in delays or errors in our offerings,” Danaher said in the filing. “Conversely, any failure to successfully develop and deploy AI in our business activities, products and services could adversely affect our competitiveness (particularly if our competitors successfully deploy AI in their businesses, products and services).”
The company added that the development and deployment of AI will increase costs and require additional investment.
Danaher plans to hold an event focused on AI in R&D in December.
