The use of AI and digital health solutions is spreading rapidly in the longevity industry, but that means it’s very easy for people, particularly the vulnerable people who would most benefit from access, to be left behind. One challenge facing researchers is how their discoveries can be made available to everyone (https://longevity.technology/news/bringing-biological-age-tracking-to-the-masses/).
There are a lot of reasons it’s important to make scientific discoveries widely available. The first is that science means nothing if it can’t be replicated, challenged and peer reviewed. If other experts have the opportunity to explore the new theory or technology, it gives them the opportunity to identify any weak spots and potentially even create improvements. The best science is always a collaborative effort.
Then there’s the impact it can have on the general public. One example is recent research into how a standard blood test may be able to give a quicker, cheaper and more accurate assessment of biological age than the more complicated methods currently used. Pretty much everyone will have a blood test at some point when they go to the doctor, meaning that everyone could have a chance to measure their biological age and make their healthcare decisions accordingly.
One of the simplest ways to spread discoveries quickly is to make research completely open access. All the methodology and data should be immediately available to anyone who wants it without having to purchase, subscribe or fill in a lot of complicated forms. People will probably argue about the significance of the content, but at least they will be working from the same dataset.
Some researchers, such as those involved in the blood test study, are doing just that. Rather than taking the opportunity to label all of their work proprietary and using it as an opportunity to gain wealth and prestige, they’re actively encouraging other people to critique their models and hopefully make them better. Michael Geer has openly expressed his desire for everyone to have access to his biological tracking research.
If everyone can access their biological age from a routine blood test, that means they have the opportunity to make the lifestyle changes and receive the medical interventions that could improve their longevity. Access to this kind of AI technology would be beneficial to everyone, so efforts to make it more widely available are to be encouraged.
