Data sharing needs the right ecosystem, but open and flourishing sharing practices can be to all our benefit. Debate is the springboard to accessibility.
THE YUAN, a leading AI content platform has launched a discussion calling for the global accessibility and availability of medical data. Starting on 23 June and running for 12 days, the discussion, which is themed ‘Open Data 2022’, is the first such instance of an international call to uncloister medical data.
Longevity.Technology: Data is often held in siloes, but sharing information can transform both medical care and research. Good data sharing should be secure and transparent and practices should be flexible so they can adapt to changing legislation, landscapes and needs. Of course, none of this would be possible without advanced computing infrastructure and this is why 23 June was the choice for this event because it marked the 110th birthday of Alan Turing, the father of modern AI
Speaking of the choice of date, Shifeng Wang, THE YUAN’s editor-in-chief, said: “We commemorate Turing and continue his dream.” Mr Wang noted that 12 eminent authors from various countries participated in this debate, interpreting the important role of global open medical data in realising precision medicine from divergent perspectives.
One of the eminent scholars, Dr Gaurav Chandra of the US, stressed that when opening medical data, one should weigh advantages and disadvantages to make precision medicine more accurate while also avoiding importing algorithmic bias into medical procedures.
Dr Patrick Glauner, an author from Germany, discussed the need for regulation in opening medical data from a European standpoint. Europe’s stance on pioneering data regulation will set the region up as a global leader in open medical data, he said.
Mr Wang also emphasised another critical agenda of the discussion in calling for free access to medical data. While calling for open data, he gave significant consideration to setting high- and low-income nations on an equal footing in data sharing.
Indian author Satyen K Bordoloi contended that Covid-19 amply demonstrates that a pestilence is not just a national affair but a global one as well. Only greater data openness can benefit humanity by quelling this pandemic post haste, he urged.
Nigerian author Gift Kenneth covered opening global medical data – a bounty to supply the lack of medical data in African countries. South Africa’s Janet Sawari’s thesis was that successful open medical data will build a healthy economy and medical and social ecology in African countries.
This discussion initiated by THE YUAN will conclude on 8 July. Please click HERE to access it.
