Developing a National AI Virtual Research Environment Infrastructure for Healthcare Analytics - Phase 1

The Developing a National AI Virtual Research Environment (VRE) Infrastructure for Healthcare Analytics project is building a scalable, cloud-based research platform to support advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in health research. Delivered as part of the People Research Data Commons, the project will establish a Virtual Research Environment that enables researchers to access computing resources, analytical tools and curated research software within a single, portable platform. The VRE will run on ARDC’s Nectar Research Cloud and is designed to simplify access to advanced analytics capabilities while supporting secure handling of research data. Phase 1 of the project focuses on delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) VRE that integrates compute environments, AI and analytics tools, and user-friendly interfaces for research workflows. The platform will also incorporate enhanced security controls aligned with ISO 27001 principles and establish the foundations for future integration of research resources, including metadata and persistent identifiers. As part of this phase, the project will also develop a specialised VRE tailored to the Microscopy Australia community, supporting large imaging datasets and domain-specific analysis workflows. By providing shared infrastructure for advanced analytics and AI, the project aims to reduce technical barriers for researchers, improve access to computational resources and lay the groundwork for future nationally coordinated research environments.