These are difficult times affecting all aspects of our life and society. Digital health technologies such as AI, big data, 5G and robotics are critical tools in the fight against COVID-19. 

So-called “frontier technologies” offer a transformative potential towards reaching universal health coverage in low and middle income countries. This will only be achieved, though, if the technology-based solutions are scaled-up and systematically integrated into existing healthcare structures. Moreover, fundamental technical, ethical and legal questions regarding data security, fairness, non-discrimination and privacy need to be addressed. The World Health Organization (WHO) could assume a leading role in facilitating the development of a global regulatory framework.

Fondation Botnar contributes to a partnership between D-tree International and the Zanzibar Ministry of Health to support the roll out of a national digital community health system to improve maternal, newborn, and child health services in Zanzibar. Photo: © D-tree International

Being asked by Fondation Botnar to moderate a panel uniting unique perspectives was exciting. Even more so when the topic was one that in recent times has stimulated academics, had an influx of global media debate, and fuelled campaigners to advocate for content regulation: the relationship between digital technologies, adolescents and mental health.

Those who have learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed – Charles Darwin

We are facing a critical moment in human history and how we pivot, innovate, and adapt services and solutions as a community will define a whole generation. As a member of the Intelligent Health AI community you are a critical 1 of 52,000 multidisciplinary experts and you stand alongside world leading colleagues from 169+ countries. At a time when collaboration globally is now more important than ever; innovation must continue, and we have therefore decided to turn our global organisational force into platforms to fight for improved patient outcomes together.

Join Intelligent Health AI this Friday at 11am BST as we reveal the 3rd episode of our Going Viral webinar series: Long term implications of health data use in the response to COVID-19.

We're excited to announce that the Novartis Foundation will be returning as Headline Sponsor for the third consecutive year. In addition, Microsoft will join as Lead Technology Sponsor, cementing Intelligent Health as the annual meeting place of the global artificial intelligence and medicine community. 

This year again, over 3,500 healthcare and technology professionals from all over the world will gather in Basel, Switzerland, to work together and help create a future where AI will revolutionize health and #saveliveswithai. 

Following the huge success of Intelligent Health’s free debut webinar last week, we are pleased to announce an exciting follow up this week for our UK community!

Future proofing the NHS - How technology is going to play a role in the reaction to COVID-19 within the NHS and how clinicians can deploy technology/telemedicine at pace and scale in response to the ongoing crisis.

Intelligent Health has never shied away from the big discussions and it’s time we address the biggest disruptor the world has faced in a generation, COVID-19.

The Intelligent Health community is comprised of over 52,000 multidisciplinary experts and we will be opening the discussion floodgates this Thursday 12th March at 2pm GMT - Going Viral: Keeping Calm in the Face of COVID-19.

“Machines will not replace physicians, but physicians using AI will soon replace those not using it.” - Antonio Di Leva, The Lancet

Following our pre-event Q&A with headline speaker Frank Hester OBE, I had the opportunity to sit down with Frank and delve a little further into what TPP’s mission is and where he sees the unexplored opportunities and potential misconceptions surrounding AI in Healthcare.

We spoke to some of the brains behind Alpha Health, a long term innovation facility created by Telefonica in 2016 to work on moonshot projects. Ollie, Strategy Director and Tarek, Chief Behavioural Officer, give us their thoughts on AI in medicine ahead of their presentation and interactive challenge session.