TD’s AI chief quits to start health care firm, backed by bank and Inovia Capital

Four years ago, Tomi Poutanen sold his artificial intelligence startup Layer 6 to Toronto-Dominion Bank for more than US$100-million and became TD’s chief AI officer. TD used Layer 6′s AI engine for dozens of applications, such as predicting when customers might buy homes and detecting fraudulent insurance claims.

Now Mr. Poutanen is pursuing a higher goal – using AI to save lives. Mr. Poutanen is leaving TD to lead his latest startup, Signal 1 AI Inc. It is aiming to bring to market an artificial intelligence tool that will help hospitals predict which patients are at greatest risk of dying and need immediate intervention.