摘要：BFA International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum 2025 Hong Kong Conference convened a session titled "The Reshaping and
BFA International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum 2025 Hong Kong Conference convened a session titled "The Reshaping and Disruption of Life Sciences" on June 6, featuring prominent panelists including MA Jie, Head of National Center for Clinical Laboratories and Biotherapy Center at Beijing Hospital, Wibool PIYAWATTANAMETHA, Fellow of the International Science Council, Philip CHIU Wai Yan, Dean of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ZHANG Xueji, Chair Professor of Shenzhen University and Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Bioengineering, TAN Jiaying, Deputy Editor of Cell and WU Shan, General Manager of AstraZeneca China Hong Kong & Macau, with the discussion moderated by Albert Cheung Hoi YU, Chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization.
The deep integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare is reshaping the global life sciences industry at an unprecedented pace. Recent data reveals explosive growth in AI-assisted drug development, with the number of active projects skyrocketing from just 6 in 2010 to 158 in 2021. By 2024, AI-powered pharmaceutical technologies have helped achieve breakthroughs in drug development, accelerating certain processes of new drug development by up to 100-fold. Some believe that the development of medicine in the next five to ten years will exceed that of the previous fifty to a hundred years, heralding a new era of "biological freedom." Given these transformative developments, the session emerged as a focal point for stakeholders across the healthcare and technology sectors.
Industry leaders emphasized AI's transformative role across the life sciences sector during the panel discussion. The technology is accelerating pharmaceutical innovation, with panelists noting AI's ability to dramatically enhance R&D efficiency and compress drug development timelines by unprecedented margins. In precision medicine, AI's capacity to synthesize genomic, clinical, and environmental datasets is enabling groundbreaking advances in personalized treatment approaches. Healthcare institutions are deploying AI solutions to automate routine tasks, significantly reducing administrative burdens on medical staff while improving operational efficiency. The technology is also reshaping patient engagement through intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants that deliver 24/7 support and personalized care guidance. In addition, Ma Jie highlighted a particularly impactful application in oncology: "AI-powered early detection systems are proving game-changers in cancer care. Their widespread adoption promises not only to boost cure rates but also to substantially reduce pressure on global healthcare infrastructure."
Experts at the session also stressed that while AI is driving a revolution in medicine, it also raises ethical, privacy and regulatory concerns. Ma Jie emphasized that although the application of AI in life sciences and healthcare is pushing the boundaries of imagination, the ultimate decision-making power must remain in human hands. Human beings need to decide how to use and manage AI responsibly, rather than allowing unchecked development. Noting that current regulatory systems are struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of AI , Wibool Piyawattanametha called for the establishment of a regulatory framework that ensures ethical and safe deployment in healthcare. He stressed that ensuring transparency in AI applications and promoting public engagement are key to building public trust.
Wu Shan emphasized that achieving health equity requires efforts in two key dimensions: first, enhancing access to innovative therapies and disease management solutions to ensure patients across all regions can benefit from advanced treatments; and second, accelerating innovation in diagnostic and early prevention systems—including the deployment of portable diagnostic devices to strengthen primary care facilities and the implementation of teleconsultation platforms in leading hospitals to standardize diagnoses through digital technologies.
Ma Jie also noted that in the area of telemedicine, AI is enabling the cross-regional sharing of high-quality medical resources. Through this model, specialists in top-tier hospitals can perform complex surgeries remotely for patients thousands of kilometers away, allowing underserved populations to benefit from high-level medical services. With ongoing economic and technological development, the application scenarios for telemedicine will continue to expand, bringing medical benefits to more patients.
Tan Jiaying added that some large healthcare groups are systematically leveraging diagnostic record databases and virtual care models to significantly enhance patient intake capacity, offering innovative solutions to the problem of uneven distribution of medical resources.
The panel concluded that AI is fundamentally transforming scientific research and healthcare systems, fueling the rapid emergence of interdisciplinary fields like systems biology. While AI is revolutionizing traditional research methodologies and creating innovative healthcare delivery models, experts emphasized that it must remain an assistive tool under human supervision - AI excels at optimizing resource allocation and enhancing diagnostic accuracy, but critical medical decisions must ultimately rest with healthcare professionals. With responsible implementation, AI is poised to deliver higher-quality care and advance inclusive health development globally.
来源：博鳌亚洲论坛
