The US National Institute of Health (NIH) has launched an initiative that will harness artificial intelligence (AI) and medical imaging to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort will be led by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and will develop new tools that medical professionals can use for early detection and personalised treatment for COVID-19 patients. The initiative will convene experts in medical imaging and AI from academia, professional societies, industry, and government. One of the goals of the initiative is to develop and implement machine learning algorithms to promptly and accurately assess the status of the disease and support physicians in optimising patient treatment.