Shanghai will boost the integration of Internet technology, artificial intelligence and big data with the life sciences, local officials said during an industry event in the city.

Top scientists, government authorities and industry insiders participated in the event, known as the International Forum on Innovation and Emerging Industries Development and organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Ruijin Hospital. A total of 12 scientists, entrepreneurs and experts gave speeches to share their opinions on biological and life science development.

Dr Ning Guang, vice president of Ruijin Hospital, said it is important to speed up the adoption of new technology in healthcare services and support the development of precision medicine, intelligent medicine and the clinical transformation of new technology and new products.

“Medical facilities should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials of new drug and new medical equipment. The government should boost the development of precision medicine through an industry chain with imaging, gene, big data and other relevant technologies,” he said. “It is important to push the integration of healthcare with mobile Internet, the Internet of Things, cloud calculation, wearable equipment and AI.”

Lin Zhongqin, president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said a cooperation between medicine, engineering and informatics is necessary to solve clinical problems in future medical development.

The meeting discussed the latest achievements in biomedicineand focused on innovation, practical transformation and research use.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine / Ti Gong

Dr Ning Guang, vice president of Ruijin Hospital, speaks during the industry forum.