Unlocking the Secrets of Aging: AI and the Data Challenge

Aging science is on the brink of exciting discoveries, but there's a big problem: not enough data. Experts say we need more information about how our bodies age, considering factors like gender, ethnicity, and environment. Right now, we don't have enough details to understand these differences. One expert pointed out that we usually start checking for aging issues when people are already old. But aging starts much earlier. The goal is to find out how to intervene sooner. This means we need to collect data from a younger age. A group called Hevolution is working with scientists and tech companies to find new drugs. They're focusing on "healthspan, " which means reducing diseases that come with age. They're also trying to make these advances available to everyone faster.Many labs are using AI to speed up drug discovery. One CEO has 30 AI projects running, looking for drugs that can treat diseases and also slow down aging. If one of these drugs gets approved, it could be a huge step forward. Another expert said that AI could help us understand aging better. But we need to fill in the gaps in our data first. For example, until recently, most clinical trials only included men. And most trials still happen in Europe and the U. S. , so we don't have enough data from women in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. This is a big deal because men and women age differently. For men, the last 25% of their life might be in poor health. But for women, it's the middle 60% that's often unhealthy. So, when it comes to aging science, it's not just about living longer for women—it's about living better.