Alfonso Molina’s presentation at the CREO+ international event
How can we develop technological innovation that truly improves people’s lives? This is the question at the heart of the international webinar “Artificial Intelligence applied to health and education”, organised by CREO+ – Clínica Cayetano Heredia, which took place on 21 May and featured Alfonso Molina, Scientific Director of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and Personal Chair in Technology Strategy at the University of Edinburgh.
During the meeting, aimed at healthcare professionals, educators and innovators, Molina presented a detailed reflection on the evolution of generative artificial intelligence and its impact on education and healthcare systems, placing a humanistic vision of innovation at the centre.
“We are working towards a democratic knowledge society by combining innovation, education, inclusion and fundamental values, so that the benefits reach everyone without discrimination,” Molina noted as he presented the Fondazione Mondo Digitale’s approach.
Among the topics addressed:
- the rapid spread of generative AI and its impact on work and professions;
- new forms of interaction between people and conversational systems;
- the opportunities and risks of using AI in healthcare;
- the role of artificial intelligence as a support, rather than a replacement, for educational and care professions.
Ample attention was also given to the ongoing transformations in medicine. Molina illustrated some emblematic cases: from the use of AI for the analysis of diagnostic images and the personalisation of cancer treatments to multi-agent systems and tools developed by major international research centres such as Stanford Medicine and Google DeepMind.
Alongside the opportunities, however, the presentation also highlighted the need for governance, scientific validation and the protection of individuals. “The validation of safety, efficacy and privacy are fundamental requirements for the adoption of AI,” reads one of the passages dedicated to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare systems.
Particular attention was paid to education. According to Molina, artificial intelligence can enhance the work of teachers, guidance counsellors and training professionals, but cannot replace the educational relationship, active listening and the capacity for human support.
During the webinar, several projects by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale were also presented, focusing on artificial intelligence, digital inclusion and lifelong learning, as part of a strategy that integrates research, development and implementation to support citizens, young people, women, vulnerable individuals and educational communities through the technological transformations currently underway.
