I recently attended the event ‘The Digital Horizon: Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Technologies’, which was a collaborative event organised by the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) and the University of Salford to discuss new digital technologies and how these can be used in various sectors and workspaces.
The first panel was a discussion about how technology will shape our working environments in the near future. The recent increase in the merging of digital and physical working environments is expected to continue, particularly with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) which is slowly becoming more prominent across all aspects of our lives. The opportunities presented by AI in the workplace were discussed, such as authorisation of digital identity and enhancing workflow. However, the panel also considered the risks and considerations of using AI in these settings, such as data protection, ethical use, and prioritising regulator involvement in the set-up of digital tools to ensure regulatory compliance.
The next presentation discussed emerging opportunities for quantum computing, which is an area of technological development that uses quantum theories and models to enhance the ability and speed of complex computational processes. Although this topic is out of my field of expertise, I learnt that these tools are likely to become powerful for encrypting digital information and producing algorithms, which has implications for creating tools for both employees and clients.
This was followed by a panel about digital identities, how they are currently used in the workplace and are expected to be used in the future. The discussion focussed on the importance of security and safe use of digital identities, and developing appropriate standards for management and authentication. There are some barriers to implementing digital identities further, such as lack of standardisation and centralisation which prevents ID use across systems and international borders. However, the panel suggested that with appropriate regulator involvement, we can expect to see digital identities being rolled out further in the near future.
Finally, there was a presentation on the findings of DRFC’s research on synthetic media, that is, AI generated or enhanced media content. This type of content is on the rise in the workplace due to its ability to provide quick, easy and low-cost media creation tools. Synthetic media should however be used with caution, as there is potential to produce fraudulent content which misleads consumers, or even for illegal content to be created and distributed. Despite this, simultaneous developments in AI mean that models can be created to increase detection and moderation of synthetic media content, which will allow for it to be used appropriately.
The event was interesting as I learnt about how the digital landscape is changing and the implications for different sectors. Although technological advancements are exciting in terms of the opportunities they provide for the workplace, the discussions I heard made me aware that these do not come without risks, which should be carefully considered before implementation. This made me consider how these advances will impact the clinical trials sector. For example, AI is already being trialled as a medical device, and this requires significant measures be put in place to ensure data protection and security. Digital technologies are developing faster than the regulation surrounding their use, and stakeholder input for regulation was emphasised as integral to developing this regulation so it allows for progress while mitigating potential risks. This has many implications for a highly regulated sector such as clinical trials, where digital technologies play a vital role in trial procedures.
Author: Lydia Ainsworth
Published on 25 Mar 2025
