Progress is Lamentable when We Cannot Maintain Pace

If, like me, you’re a fan of Black Mirror, you’ll have no doubt spent the last few weeks engrossed in the new episodes of the Netflix series created by Charlie Brooker.

The latest season, starting with ‘Joan is Awful’ – a meta story about a global streaming service leveraging quantum computing to turn subscribers’ lives into unflattering dramas – has evolved significantly since its last release in 2019, shifting its focus towards ethical dilemmas rather than the technologies themselves.

In truth, it was challenging for Black Mirror to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancement. Setting aside the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has undergone significant changes in the past four years. Many of the once-emerging or fantastical technologies featured in earlier seasons, such as virtual reality headsets and brain chips, have now been commercialized or are seeking approvals from regulatory bodies like the FDA and MHRA.

This accelerated pace of change is most evident in the ongoing debate surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and the question of whether machine learning will ultimately be a friend or foe. Personally, I firmly believe in the former. As someone who closely monitors and supports medical innovators, I see immense potential in AI to enhance quality of life – a prime example being its ability to assist individuals with paralysis, amputations, and blindness.

However, a challenge that arises with the rapid progress of AI is the issue of regulation. I now regularly attend industry conferences where medtech companies express their struggle in obtaining regulatory approval due to a lack of understanding from regulators regarding the underlying technology. While this challenge is not unique to the UK, it has the potential to hinder innovation and discourage investment within the country.

There are abundant opportunities if the industry can effectively and safely develop products at a rapid pace. This becomes even more crucial given the backdrop of sluggish economic growth and the challenges faced by the NHS as it commemorates its 75th anniversary. With the NHS undergoing transformations, many have questioned what it will look like in another 25 years. AI is already being tested within the NHS to reduce waiting times and detect early-stage diseases like breast cancer. When considering the eagerness of R&D-led companies to introduce new products, these technology-driven trials could revolutionize and strengthen the healthcare system by the time it reaches 100 years old.

To fully transform the healthcare sector, it is imperative to foster a greater convergence of technology and science within positions of power. We are witnessing the benefits of this convergence in the development of UK innovation districts within our portfolio. Additionally, the establishment of the new Department for Science Innovation and Technology is already facilitating this integration, and I hope to see more highly-skilled technology graduates and professionals taking up regulatory roles in the future

In parallel, continued investment in data science and the cultivation of centers of excellence like the Turing Institute will set the UK apart in the years to come.

While the pace of change may raise concerns, with innovation and regulation working hand-in-hand, there is no need to anticipate a dystopian future.

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