As the holiday season approaches, this month’s roundup highlights the growth of decentralised clinical trials, the rise of Bluesky as a social media alternative, and groundbreaking AI tools in healthcare.
KEY PLATFORM UPDATES
Google November Update 2024
Google’s November 2024 Core Algorithm Update focuses on improving the quality of search results across all regions and languages. This broad update is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to refine its search systems. Core updates can lead to significant ranking changes, with affected sites potentially requiring months to recover as Google evaluates improvements over time. Recovery is not guaranteed, as search results constantly adapt to changing user needs and updated web content. This update is the final core algorithm adjustment of 2024, following several changes earlier in the year.
Meta Brings AI-Powered Smart Glasses to Europe
Meta’s AI assistant integration into Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are now available in France, Italy, Ireland, and Spain. The product holds significant potential for the health and wellness industry. These glasses enable users to access voice-based assistance for translations, recommendations, and hands-free interactions, which could greatly benefit individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges by providing easier access to information and communication. This development underscores Meta’s ambition to position AI-powered wearables as tools not just for entertainment but for practical, everyday use.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Decentralised Clinical Trials Market Poised for Rapid Growth
The decentralised clinical trials market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by Business Research Insights, the market was valued at $7.14 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $8.19 billion by the end of 2024¹. Long-term projections indicate the market will grow to $24.97 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8%. Decentralised clinical trials let participants take part from home or local healthcare facilities using technologies for remote monitoring and data collection. This flexible approach improves access and streamlines clinical research.
Addressing Racial Bias in AI: Ensuring Fairness in Healthcare
AI is transforming healthcare, but its use must be approached with caution to ensure it is safe, effective, and ethical. One of the main challenges is the racial and ethnic bias that can emerge from the data on which AI models are trained. Data gaps, such as limited representation of certain races due to privacy restrictions or outdated ethnicity categories, can lead to inaccurate and biased results. For example, many Southeast Asian individuals have historically been categorised as “Indian” due to outdated options, which AI systems still rely on, potentially leading to misdiagnoses or unequal care.
To address these issues, initiatives like the STANDING Together project by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust are developing standards for AI datasets to ensure diversity and inclusivity. These standards aim to guide regulators and healthcare institutions in assessing whether AI systems are based on representative data, helping to prevent bias and promote equitable healthcare for all. By focusing on data inclusivity, we can ensure that AI tools work fairly across diverse populations, reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for everyone.
DIGITAL NEWS
Frustration with X Fuels Bluesky’s Rise
Over one million users, frustrated with changes at Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), migrated to Bluesky, a decentralised social media platform. These changes included a perceived political alignment with Donald Trump and controversial platform updates. Bluesky’s user base surged to over 19 million, driven by its commitment to open web principles and alternative moderation policies. It briefly outperformed rivals like Threads in web traffic, solidifying its position as a major X competitor.
U.S. Government Takes Aim at Google’s Monopoly
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed that Google sell its Chrome browser and possibly the Android operating system to address concerns over its alleged monopoly in online search. In a filing to the U.S. District Court, the DOJ argued that Google’s dominance in search and advertising is illegal. The DOJ specifically recommended that Google divest Chrome, as it strengthens their control over the search market. Additionally, if Google does not stop practices favouring its own services, it may be required to sell Android.. If the proposal leads to the sale of Chrome, it could reduce Google’s dominance in the web browser market, potentially opening up opportunities for other browsers to compete more effectively.
AI Tool Can Predict Type 2 Diabetes Risk Up to 10 Years Ahead
Researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust have developed an AI tool called the AI-ECG Risk Estimation for Diabetes Mellitus (AIRE-DM), which analyses electrocardiogram (ECG) readings to assess the risk of type 2 diabetes. This tool, which uses data from routine heart scans, can predict the likelihood of developing the disease up to 10 years in advance, potentially enabling early interventions to reduce future risk.
Sources
- Decentralized Clinical Trials Market Size – Forecast To 2032 [Internet]. Businessresearchinsights.com. 2024. Available from: https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/decentralized-clinical-trials-market-100573
- Carr DF. Breadcrumb [Internet]. Similarweb. 2022 [cited 2024 Dec 3]. Available from: https://www.similarweb.com/blog/insights/social-media-news/bluesky-sustained-growth/
