How is artificial intelligence (AI) transforming the life sciences—and how do these changes ripple through humanity and society? These were the central questions explored during a workshop hosted by Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS) and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) on May 13–15.
“This workshop provided a unique opportunity for researchers from DDLS and WASP-HS to collaboratively examine the evolving role of AI in the life sciences, along with its broad societal implications,” says Erik Kristiansson, Professor of Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Chalmers University of Technology and co-host of the event.
A Meeting Place for Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The workshop took place at Sigtunastiftelsen, a location that has been dedicated to facilitating existential humanistic questions for over 100 years. Bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines the event created a space for deep interdisciplinary dialogue.
“For collaborations to truly succeed, we need meeting places where there is time to listen, test ideas, and challenge each other’s perspectives,” notes Francis Lee, Associate Professor at Södertörn University, Chalmers University of Technology, and co-host of the workshop.
Through walk-and-talk sessions, parallel group discussions, and cross-disciplinary presentations, participants explored the complex intersections between data-driven life science, society, and human values.
Pinpointing the Core Challenges
Three intersecting challenges stood out throughout the event; trust and public engagement, data quality and governance as well as ethical, and social dimensions. This included legal and ethical challenges of autonomous systems in the life sciences, establishment of trust for AI-based decision support systems, emerging forms of human–AI collaboration, and the need to foster long-term interdisciplinary communities.
These challenges are not isolated and addressing them requires long-term interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to shaping data-driven life science in ways that are socially responsible and inclusive.
The insights from this workshop will inform future strategic directions for both WASP-HS and DDLS, and will be further developed in an upcoming publication by the event hosts.
