GES Center Lectures, NC State University
Genetic Engineering and Society Center | Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.

#3 – Daniel Uribe—BioNFTs for Ethical AI Models in Life Sciences

Sept 12, 2023 GES Colloquium | Discover how BioNFTs are revolutionizing the Life Sciences by providing verifiable biosamples and biodata for training ethical AI models

BioNFTs: Verifiable Biosamples & BioData for training Ethical AI Models in Life Sciences

Daniel Uribe, MBA, Co-Founder & CEO at GenoBank.io | @duribeb Discover how BioNFTs are revolutionizing the Life Sciences by providing verifiable biosamples and biodata for training ethical AI models

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Abstract

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the convergence of blockchain technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is heralding unprecedented opportunities and challenges in Life Sciences. One of the most pressing issues we face is the ethical use of biosamples and biodata in AI model training. This talk introduces the groundbreaking concept of BioNFTs (Biological Non-Fungible Tokens), a solution designed to ensure data provenance, integrity, and ethical compliance. BioNFTs serve as a decentralized verification mechanism, allowing researchers, biobanks, and other stakeholders to authenticate the origins, chain of custody, and consent associated with biosamples and their corresponding biodata. These tokens operate on blockchain technology, providing a tamper-proof, transparent record of interactions.

The utilization of BioNFTs in AI model training fundamentally shifts the paradigm. By ensuring the ethical sourcing and utilization of biosamples and biodata, we can instill trust among the community and participants, thereby accelerating the adoption of AI in life sciences applications ranging from drug discovery to personalized medicine. This is especially critical when the biodata under study are derived from sensitive populations or rare conditions, where misuse or misrepresentation can have significant ethical implications.

Moreover, BioNFTs can be a game-changer for compliance with evolving global regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, offering a novel way to provide proof of data provenance and informed consent. They also pave the way for a new economy, where individuals could monetize their anonymized data by granting time-bound access to researchers via tokenized consent. The talk will delve into real-world applications, potential pitfalls, and the roadmap ahead for integrating BioNFTs into our AI-driven future in life sciences. This concept has already been peer-reviewed by the British Blockchain Association based on the article “Privacy Laws, Genomics Data and NFTs“. Join us as we explore how BioNFTs can be the cornerstone for establishing ethical AI models in Life Sciences.

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Speaker Bio

Daniel Uribe: With over six years of experience as co-founder and CEO of GenoBank.io, I am passionate about leveraging blockchain and genomics to enable users to establish ownership and control of their genomic datasets using BioNFTs (ERC721). My core competencies include creating and executing the vision, strategy, and business model of GenoBank.io, leading a multidisciplinary team of experts and advisors, and partnering with academic, industry, and government stakeholders to advance the field of personal genomics and data privacy. I have a strong background in data science, artificial intelligence, and bioinformatics, as well as certifications in Ethereum Solidity Dapp, eQTL Functional Genetics, and RNA-seq Workshop. I also hold an MBA from IPADE Business School and a certificate in Data: Law, Policy and Regulation from The London School of Economics and Political Science.

My mission is to empower individuals to access, share, and monetize their genomic data in a secure, transparent, and ethical way, while contributing to the scientific and social good. I believe that BioNFTs are the future of personal genomics and data sovereignty, and I am excited to be at the forefront of this innovative and disruptive field.

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GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.