Whether you love it, hate it, or fear it, it seems that artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. And, of course, research could be one of the areas that makes the most of it. In the first episode of ‘Science with A View’, the new podcast in English from the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), we look at the unstoppable force of AI, which holds incredible potential for advances in research and innovation – and some risks, biases and ethical challenges, too. Thanks to our host Chris George, we welcome two leading experts in the field who are using such tools to advance their research.
First, we hear from Mafalda Dias from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). Mafalda’s team uses AI to develop models that analyze vast genomic datasets, DNA and RNA, to uncover how genetic variations impact molecular functions. By doing so, they aim to link these variations to human diseases, opening the door to improved diagnostic tools. Her team is also exploring how AI can identify genetic vulnerabilities in endangered species, offering valuable insights to bolster conservation efforts.
Sitting on the other side of the discussion is Philippe Mortier, a researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (HMRIB). His work focuses on leveraging AI and machine learning to predict patients at risk of suicide. By tailoring interventions to individual patients, Philippe’s team hopes to enhance treatment outcomes and improve lives.
Beyond exploring these groundbreaking projects, the episode also covers some ethical aspects of AI, patient privacy and data security. And it explores the transformative impact of AI on biomedical research, discusses its impact on the academic landscape, and even touch on some less successful attempts to use generative AI in scientific publishing.
Finally, we introduce the ‘Voice of the PRBB‘, a segment where we listen to the PRBB residents talking about the overarching topic we cover in the episode. In this episode, we hear how the PRBB community uses AI in their everyday lives, both inside and outside of science. And we’ve got a wide range of answers, from people using Chat GPT to write emails or check for errors, to people using it for their own research to help them code some scripts.
Listen now to this episode of ‘Science With A View’ and let us know in the comments: how do you use AI in your day-to-day life?
