Can AI Enhance Public Trust in Science?

It is clear that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will continue to transform the lives of citizens around the world. However, it remains to be seen how AI will impact societal trust in existing and future healthcare interventions. Drawing on their experience as scientists, healthcare professionals and AI experts, this panel will discuss whether there are opportunities to improve trust and understanding of scientific innovation.

This will be done through the lens of three different global locations and a timeframe of the next three years. It will explore the extent to which regional societal trends are likely to affect outcomes for citizens (which could also be driven by AI technology). For example, does the erosion of top-down communication strategies around the world as a result of social media and changing media landscapes mean that there is an inevitable loss of faith in the power of science to bring about positive change?

Assuming that a global, one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to prove either feasible or effective, the panel will seek to analyze (1) what opportunities exist regionally to build trust and societal resilience, and (2) what local actions would be required to maximize benefits and over what timeframe. Finally, the panel will also seek to address the risk or opportunity costs of inaction in terms of regulation or investment in AI for global healthcare goals.