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Opinion
For many, the urgent need for treatments and vaccines to combat Covid-19 revealed the pitfalls of legacy drug discovery methods.
DIGITAL INNOVATION IN UK MEDICINE - COVID-19 AND BEYOND Author: NEIL THOMPSON - chief scientific officer at Healx
How digital innovation has emerged throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
T
he battle against Covid-19 has dominated the world’s attention over the last year, impacting economics, societies, individuals and industries across the globe. In response to the pandemic, the UK in particular has seen a surge in digital innovations exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology across the healthcare spectrum. As we reflect on the last year, I see a number of key learnings that can enable us to maximise the value that can be derived from these innovations in the broader healthcare sector. DATA AND ENTHUSIASM ARE CRITICAL FOR INNOVATION The first is that there are a vast number of innovative ideas out there - some of which may not have been realised without the urgency of a pandemic. This creativity goes well beyond some of the generally accepted uses of AI and ML in imaging, diagnosis and modelling. Indeed, from tackling misinformation to assessing people’s risk of transmission, such advancements have helped monitor the spread of the virus, keep people connected, and supercharge
