Google LLC said Tuesday it’s embarking on a 10-year strategic partnership with the Mayo Clinic.

The idea is that Google’s public cloud infrastructure will serve as the cornerstone of the Mayo Clinic’s digital transformation initiatives. The Mayo Clinic will also leverage Google’s artificial intelligence systems and tools to advance its medical research efforts.

“Health care is one of the most important fields that technology will help transform over the next decade, and it’s a major area of investment for Google,” said Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai. He added that the partnership presents “an extraordinary opportunity to develop services that will significantly improve lives.”

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said in a blog post that the company will lend its assistance to help the Mayo Clinic rebuild its digital strategy. A big part of this will involve developing a roadmap for the clinic to leverage Google’s cloud-based, AI tools to power its medical research efforts. This includes creating new machine-learning models to research “serious and complex diseases.”

The partnership will see Google open a brand new officer in Rochester, Minnesota, close to the Mayo Clinic’s headquarters.

“With Google Cloud’s secure and compliant digital platform, we will be able to leverage innovative cloud technology, industry leading AI and healthcare specific solutions, so we can focus on revolutionizing healthcare delivery and taking care of our patients,” Christopher Ross, chief intelligence officer of the Mayo Clinic, said in a statement.

The Mayo Clinic added in a separate blog post that it will continue to control access to its patient data, even though this will be stored and secured in Google’s cloud. In its own blog post, the Mayo Clinic noted that while Google Cloud will secure and store the Clinic’s data, the Clinic will control access and use of its patient data.

“Mayo Clinic will specifically authorize the use of data in projects to create new health care insights and solutions in conjunction with partners, including Google,” it said. “Mayo Clinic will manage access to all data using rigorous long-standing institutional controls.”

Image: Google