Breaking down the data bottlenecks in healthcare

In May 2020, an online panel organised by Science|Business concluded that artificial intelligence (AI) had so far struggled to demonstrate its worth in the fight against COVID-19.  Speakers pointed to a lack of data infrastructure and interoperability, together with weak quality control, as key factors behind AI's lacklustre showing.

To explore how researchers, businesses and policymakers can better realise the potential of data and AI, Science|Business launched its Data Rules initiative – an expert forum of partner organisations from around the world seeking to inform the European and global dialogue on policy for fast-developing data and AI technologies. In July this year, as part of the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2022 taking place in Leiden, we will return to the question of data and healthcare, and address ways in which critical blockages and bottlenecks might be removed through a combination of smarter policy and practice. Among the key issues and challenges to be explored in this interactive, public panel discussion:

• Too many silos, not enough sharing - what needs to be done to improve data flows? 
• Privacy versus personalisation - how to get the balance right
• Effective aggregation and anonymisation - combining multiple data sources, while still protecting sensitive data
• Creating an effective EU health common data space - the need for incentives and assurances