Microsoft is setting up a new healthcare department at its ­Cambridge research facility, as part of plans to use its artificial intelligence software to ­enter the health market.

The computer giant has created the division as part of its commitment to “transform healthcare” using technologies such as machine learning and cloud computing.

Its research plans ­include monitoring systems that can help keep patients out of hospitals and alert them in a timely manner about problems, and large studies into ­diseases such as diabetes.