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Navigating the labyrinth of cancer treatments can be so disorienting for patients that International Business Machines Corp. is enlisting its powerful supercomputer Watson to help. The computing giant today says it will offer its Watson artificial intelligence software to its U.S. employees to help them identify appropriate treatments and options for clinical trials. The benefit will be available beginning early next year to employees and their families who are covered under several of the company’s insurance plans. (Silverman, 10/11)

The computer system, known as EMS for “eligibility management system,” is older than some of the people working on the multiyear, multimillion-dollar project to replace it. The replacement, known as ImpaCT, will go live today for clients in the Middletown area, a test run designed to identify any issues before the system rolls out statewide next year. Department officials say the new eligibility system should bring significant improvements – but probably will start with growing pains, including delays as workers begin using the new system. (Levin Becker, 10/11)