In this episode we discuss a novel idea in the healthcare and AI space: using Swarm Learning and blockchain technology for decentralized and confidential machine learning on clinical data. This promising new framework for collaborative research improves both algorithm performance and preserves patient privacy. 

This idea has been pioneered by Dr. Joachim Schultze, who recently published an exciting new paper on the subject in Nature. Dr. Joachim Schultze is a professor of Genomics and Immunoregulation at the DZNE in Germany and the University of Bonn.

2:30 Introduction and Background

6:00 Studying Broadly as an Academic

9:10 Joachim Schultze's introduction to A.I. through work on Leukemia

14:45 Recent Nature Paper - Swarm Learning & The Blockchain

21:10 Federated Learning vs. Swarm Learning

23:00 Using the Blockchain and Smart Contracts to Secure Data Sets

25:00 External Threats to the Swarm

29:40 Reaching Agreement Before Inter-Institutional Swarm Learning

35:50 Utilizing Multiple Nodes to Answer a Clinical Question

39:18 Reducing Technology-Driven Noise and Decreasing Bias With the Swarm

44:50 Open Science, Open Insights, But is Open Data Absolutely Necessary?

46:46 The Necessity of an Interprofessional Team to Complete This Project

48:30 Next Steps For This Project

54:10 Central Maintenance For The Swarm

55:10 Future of A.I. in Medicine

59:40 What Advice Would You Give To Your 20-Year Old Self

Interviewer: David Wu

Producer: Aaron Schumacher & Alexander Jacobs

Art: Saurin Kantesaria @saorange314 - Instagram