b'22 Member News July 2022Solving societal challengesArtificial intelligence and ageing: machine learning for human longevity Dr Peter Bannister CEng FIET, IET Healthcare Sector Executive ChairThe number of people in the world aged 65 or over will moreBut can the potential of AI challenge than double to reach 1.5 billion by 2050, according to the Unitedus to take this one step further? Can we move from a position of simply Nations. The rapidly changing demographic is set to pose acutemitigating the effects of ageing to one economic and social challenges, and threatens to place a hugewhere thriving communities of older people, including retired engineers, burden on health systems. Helping people to live independentlycould even contribute directly to and maintain their health and wellbeing across a longer lifespan isresearch and development (R&D) widely regarded as a key part of the solution to these challenges.that promotes healthy ageing? Our report looks at how data scientistsDr Peter Bannister CEng FIET, IET are taking advantage of the latest artificialHealthcare Sector Executive Chair, With examples including intelligence (AI) techniques and advancesshared his views to the question:in genetics to create novel solutions to thecell technologies, sensors health challenges of ageing populations.How can AI help societiesand social interaction, this We discuss how we can establish a baselinewith ageing populations toreport highlights the breadth for monitoring individuals biological age to advance research, how AI can promoteincrease levels of healthof technology solutions longevity by helping us to eat healthier,and wellbeing across acurrently being deployed.whether AI can help us tackle the chroniclonger lifespan? Supporting disease of ageing and more. healthy ageing with AI While the focus is on approaches which technology is a growthdirectly leverage data, I hope that it area. How can innovatorswill inspire a broader cross-section of identify opportunitiesengineering and lead to a new waveof multidisciplinary innovations that address for new products?this substantial opportunity.It is somewhat paradoxical that advances in medicine leading to increasing lifespansRead our report for a series of create a need for solutions that can ensurecase studies, next steps and that the additional years can be associatedrecommendations on embedding with a high quality of life. As a result,AI to promote healthy ageing. This the accelerated growth in the elderlyincludes calls for improved data, population, in the face of near static globalmeasurement and research, andhealthcare system capacity, calls out forthe remodelling of environmentssolutions that both automate the deliveryand health and care systems toof healthcare and recognise the need for anmeet the needs of older people: integrated approach to both physical andtheiet.org/ai-for-ageingmental wellbeing.'