From predicting the 3D structures of proteins, deciphering molecular data and biomedical images, and the design of new drugs to understanding ecosystems across space and time \u2013 artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools are revolutionising life science research and biomedical applications. They provide invaluable new approaches for scientists in solving the fundamental quest of understanding how living things work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Europe \u2013 and specifically EMBL \u2013 play distinctly pivotal roles to ensure that life science research benefits from these new possibilities and technologies, bringing together disciplines and sectors to catalyse and drive discovery and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week, EMBL hosted Germany\u2019s Federal Minister for Health Professor Karl Lauterbach, the UK\u2019s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care Lord Nick Markham CBE, as well as representatives from the World Health Organisation, the UK Medical Research Council, and senior leadership of the Instituto Italiano di Technologia, Google DeepMind, and GSK, to discuss opportunities and challenges of harnessing AI in the life sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussions explored the potential impact of AI advances in the life sciences with applications in pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. In addition, participants discussed how these opportunities could be realised within and for Europe, maximising existing strengths and connections in local, national, and international settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c<\/strong>AI is a powerful tool that will continue to fast-track scientific discovery and have real-world impacts, such as in precision medicine,\u201d said Edith Heard, EMBL\u2019s Director General. \u201c<\/strong>Over the past decade, the life sciences have been transformed by the presence of cheap, scalable technologies that can generate unprecedented volumes of data. AI technologies will be an essential tool to fully exploit such complex data for solutions to everyday challenges. They will become key drivers of innovation across many areas of the life sciences. This is why exchange between academia, industry and policymakers about this topic is becoming ever more important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs Europe\u2019s life sciences research organisation, EMBL possesses unique expertise, technology, and partnerships to lead the discussion that prioritises where Europe can most quickly and effectively make inroads with AI to address short- and long-term human and planetary health challenges,\u201d Heard added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At this week\u2019s meeting at EMBL Heidelberg, the participants looked at ways to leverage existing strengths and synergies to ensure Europe is a global leader for AI in life sciences. This also included bioethical considerations, such as ensuring diversity in data sets to train AI models and non-discriminatory modelling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n