As of early 2026, exquAIro has evolved from a regional initiative in Groningen into a national platform for clinician-scientists, biomedical researchers, and pharmacologists at the intersection of healthcare, data, and artificial intelligence. Originally established by the UMCG and AI firm Rewire, the foundation has broadened its focus to collaborate with all University Medical Centers (UMCs) in the Netherlands, to create medical breakthroughs through AI education.
Historical context
exquAIro was founded to equip biomedical researchers and clinician-scientists who work daily with patients and medical data with the knowledge and skills to apply AI effectively. The idea originated from a collaboration of Marnix Bügel, founder of Rewire, who wanted to use his company’s expertise in AI and data to make a positive impact on healthcare, with Gerard Koppelman, pediatric pulmonologist and professor at the UMCG. With their teams, they learned that applying AI algorithms to biomedical data provided breakthroughs that were unprecedented.
They saw the need to train other researchers in AI, and support them in their research. exquAIro is based on Rewire’s GAIN curriculum, which has been the business standard in AI education. It is now adapted and perfectioned to meet the needs of clinicians and biomedical researchers. Groningen provided a fertile environment to develop educational programs that integrate medical practice, data analysis, and technological innovation.
Collaboration beyond Groningen
While exquAIro began as a Groningen initiative, it has now grown into a nationwide network. Researchers from Radboudumc, LUMC, Amsterdam UMC and Erasmus MC joined our Biomedical AI bootcamps, creating a broader platform for sharing expertise and developing AI training programs collaboratively. Gerard Koppelman, chair of exquAIro, explains: “This expansion ensures that best practices, knowledge, and curricula are accessible across institutions, fostering interdisciplinary cooperation between clinical experts, data scientists, and researchers throughout the country.”
The next phase
The national expansion marks a new stage for exquAIro. In this phase, the initiative will focus on:
- training sufficient professionals within each institution to enable sustainable AI adoption at departmental level;
- inviting AI professionals from other UMCs to join our faculty, and contribute to the impact of our AI education
- further developing a joint AI training approach for biomedical professionals, designed and supported by all UMCs;
- sharing knowledge, curricula, and best practices in AI for healthcare;
- strengthening interdisciplinary national collaboration between clinical experts, data scientists, and researchers;
- Expanding our exquAIro foundation to a national good cause, that can also financially support new research ideas, that enable medical breakthroughs with AI
Ambition
Groningen remains an important hub where knowledge and experience have been built, while other UMCs contribute their expertise and perspectives. In this way, exquAIro grows into a unifying national platform that helps train the next generation of healthcare professionals, ready not only to understand AI, but to actively shape its use in service of better, more human-centered care. The ambition is clear: to empower clinician-scientists, biomedical researchers and pharmacologists to harness AI responsibly, driving innovation and improved care nationwide.
Want to know more? Please contact us at info@exquairo.com