CMS has chosen 25 participants to advance to Stage 1 of its AI Health Outcomes Challenge, an initiative aimed at developing AI-driven healthcare predictions for providers and clinicians.

The participants were selected based on criteria established by a group of technical evaluators of data science experts, healthcare data specialists and clinical care providers.

CMS launched the challenge––which comes with awards totaling $1.65 million––in March this year, and extended the application period after receiving higher than expected interest. The idea for the challenge was originally planned in 2018.

“Artificial Intelligence is a vehicle that can help drive our system to value––proven to reduce out-of-pocket costs and improve quality,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement announcing the participants. “It holds the potential to revolutionize healthcare: imagine a doctor being able to predict health outcomes––such as a hospital admission––and to intervene before an illness strikes.”

The challenge has innovators from all sectors, according to CMS. The agency received interest from more than 300 entities who submitted proposed AI solutions. Just seven of the 25 participants will advance to Stage 2 of the challenge, where they will be awarded $60,000 each and be given more time to refine their algorithms and solutions with more CMS data.

The grand prize winner will receive $1 million, with the runner-up receiving $230,000.