The idea of this program is not a cure, but to give oncologists tools to respond better to the disease and provide more effective treatments.
With laboratory test tubes, plastic cups and masks the offices of Microsoft have been very busy with what before was creaky keys and plastic cups dedicated to serve tea and coffee only. There are many differences between a lab and the Microsoft offices but a few days ago, workers claimed to be very close to being a laboratory.
And it’s not because they’re developing a new system, but because the computer giant has proposed themselves to “solve” cancer. Microsoft will allocate scientists and computer experts to end this disease. With this program, called Project Hanover, it is stated that Microsoft will not seek a vaccine or a new palliative care. They will simply try to provide better tools to those who truly seek a cure: oncologists.
In an article posted on its website, Microsoft has explained some details of this initiative. At the moment they have created multiple systems. Programs, in some cases to allow doctors to combat diseases and cells resistant to cancer. “Our research teams want to make progress in understanding the roles of genetics,” they say on their website.
The objective of this program is to give scientists better information in order to understand cancer and develop more personalised and effective treatments. Because of its computing capacity, Microsoft can accumulate a lot of information and therefore give advantage to doctors on the most devastating disease of our time.
Microsoft researchers say they have made great efforts to make their systems easy to use even for people without any qualification or interest in technology and computing.
Microsoft insist that the mission is not to cure cancer. The article published much emphasises the word “solve”. The idea of this program is not to find what doctors have been looking for, but to give weapons and artificial intelligence to respond to the needs of the disease.