Cloud Innovation Center launch at the University of Pittsburgh

In a landmark partnership that promises to transform both health sciences research and athletics, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and HAQM Web Services (AWS) have announced the establishment of the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Sports Analytics Cloud Innovation Center (CIC), powered by AWS. As the first CIC on the east coast and the first to have a specialized focus on health and sports analytics, this initiative represents a significant milestone in the application of cloud computing and artificial intelligence to these innovative fields.

Pioneering innovation in health and sports

The new center will leverage AWS’s comprehensive suite of machine learning and AI services, including HAQM SageMaker and HAQM Bedrock, to develop cutting-edge solutions for real-world challenges.

“At AWS, we believe that innovation is driven by technology with curious minds ready to solve big problems,” commented Valerie Singer, director of global education, AWS. “When you combine Pitt’s deep expertise in health sciences with AWS’s cloud capabilities, you create a flywheel effect that will drive continuous innovation. We are looking forward to how AWS and Pitt, together, will transform health outcomes and student-athlete performance. It’s exactly the kind of relationship that can yield exponential results.”

A hub for transformation

The Cloud Innovation Center advances Pittsburgh’s legacy of transformation, applying AWS’s advanced cloud computing capabilities to health sciences research and sports analytics in a city that has evolved from industrial powerhouse to a leading hub for technology, medicine, and data science.

Through this initiative:

• Students will gain hands-on experience in cloud computing and AI, preparing them for leadership roles in the digital economy.
• University researchers will leverage AWS’s capabilities to accelerate breakthrough discoveries in health sciences.
• Athletics and programs will enter a new era of data-driven decision making to enhance player performance and team strategy.
• Open-source solutions will be developed to benefit communities far beyond campus.

Student-led innovation

Following in the footsteps of successful CICs are Arizona State University, University of British Columbia, and California Polytechnic State University, the Pitt CIC will embrace a student-led approach to innovation. Through rapid prototyping, students have developed more than 150 open-source solutions to public sector challenges, gaining invaluable hands-on experience with industry-leading technology while making meaningful contributions to their fields.

The center is already generating excitement among students, with interns beginning their work in mid-April 2025.

“Working with AWS and backend technologies has always fascinated me, and the CIC’s focus on solving real-world problems through these tools is exactly what drew me to this role,” commented Mohammed Misran, student intern with the CIC. “I’m excited to dive deeper and hope to contribute meaningfully to projects that have tangible impacts. My goal is not just to grow technically, but to maximize innovation to address complex problems that traditional approaches struggle with… to Pitt!”

Looking ahead

The CIC has launched today, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in health sciences and sports analytics innovation. This partnership between Pitt and AWS promises to accelerate the development of AI solutions while training the next generation of technology leaders.