Many of us are professionals working in the life sciences and health field, accustomed to using data, sophisticated computer tools, and, of course, familiar with various applications of Artificial Intelligence in our professional lives. AI is also an integral part of our personal lives, from our smartphones to our connected homes, including online content recommendations, and so on. The omnipresence of AI is evident. It collects, analyzes, and uses our personal data to predict our behaviors, influence our decisions, and sometimes even make decisions on our behalf.
I would like to share a recent anecdote from the professional sphere. A few days ago, during a meeting at MIV, AI literally made an unexpected appearance! The person we had invited was unavailable for a video conference but was “represented” by AI during the call. This was a first for us, and it made us reflect on the impact of such an unexpected presence: on the security of exchanges, the comfort of participants in speaking freely, and even on the well-being of individuals and the community in the face of this type of technological intrusion. Rest assured, this situation turned out to be benevolent, with no consequences for the confidentiality of exchanges or data security—we took care to verify everything afterward.
This unforeseen and unusual situation underscores the importance of considering the legal, ethical, confidentiality, and data security aspects, as well as the impact of AI on our well-being. Although AI presents many advantages, it also raises crucial questions concerning our privacy, autonomy, and dependency. These are subjects that are close to my heart, and I will have the opportunity to moderate a panel titled “Our Health: Well-being of Individuals and Communities” on October 29, at the invitation of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada. I encourage you to share your thoughts on these themes with me to enrich the discussion with the panelists.
I look forward to seeing you there!