Evidence Challenge
Evidence Challenge
The Evidence Challenge is a series of dynamic sessions designed to tackle some of the most critical and timely issues facing the evidence community today. Each session is focused on different aspects of evidence synthesis, including global challenges such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the integration of innovative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). These sessions provide a platform for deep discussion, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and strategic thinking, ensuring that the evidence community remains at the forefront of global health and development efforts.
Evidence Community Dialogue Session
Title: Perspectives from the evidence community about priority challenges and opportunities for addressing Sustainable Development Goals: an intersectoral dialogue
Format: Dialogue with questions posed to GES delegates and responded to by panelists in session
Date and Time: Thursday 12 September 2024, 16:00 – 17:30
Moderators: Bianca Pilla and Tamara Kredo
Panelists: Kerry Albright (UNICEF, SDG Synthesis Coalition), Matt Grainger (Collaboration for Environmental Evidence), Solange Durao (Cochrane Africa, Cochrane Nutrition), Tari Turner (Australian Living Evidence Collaboration), Bhumika TV (Campbell South Asia)
We are past the halfway mark for achieving the sustainable development goals for 2030. Despite this, extreme poverty has risen globally (SDG 1); nearly 1 in 10 people face hunger daily (SDG 2); global health progress has decelerated substantially since 2015, with the COVID-19 pandemic reversing a decade of gains; the climate crisis has accelerated alarmingly (SDG 13); rising conflicts and violent organized crime persist causing uncountable human suffering (SDG 16).
As the evidence community, collectively, we are aware of challenges and opportunities in finding, using or sharing evidence to impact these important SDG targets. This session sets out to engage you who are attending the Global Evidence Summit, to gather your views on what challenges you experience and what opportunities you can suggest we should leverage to ensure we remain part of the solution for addressing the SDGs and the health and wellbeing of people and the planet.
Objectives:
1. To identify and understand the most significant challenges facing the evidence and evidence synthesis community over the next five years, considering various sectors, disciplines, and content areas in addressing the SDG 2030 agenda.
2. To explore and highlight upcoming opportunities for advancement and innovation within the evidence field, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and engagement to advance global health and wellbeing priorities.
3. To facilitate an open and productive dialogue between delegates and leaders in evidence methods, generating insights and strategies to address the identified challenges and leverage opportunities.
Dialogue format: We will pose a series of questions to the GES delegates prior to the plenary and we will ask the panel members to engage with the answers and share their different diverse perspectives on the topic. Questions to look out for include:
‘What do you think of the United Nations SDG framework for driving research and addressing global priorities for health and wellbeing?’
‘What do you perceive as the top three challenges currently facing the evidence and evidence synthesis community in addressing the SDG 2030 targets?’
‘What are the most promising opportunities you see for the evidence community in the next five years?’
‘What are the key areas where capacity building is needed within the evidence community?’
Debate
Title: The Role of AI in Evidence Synthesis
Format: Structured Debate
Date and Time: Wednesday 11 September 2024, 16:00 – 17:00
Debate Structure: This session will feature a structured debate on the motion "AI should replace humans in evidence synthesis." The debate will bring together two teams, each consisting of three members, to argue for and against this motion.
Moderators: Britta Jeppesen and Zachary Munn
Affirmative Team (Supporting the motion): Team Members: Amir Qaseem, Artur Nowak, Jun Xia
Role: Arguing that AI has the potential to fully replace humans in evidence synthesis.
Opposition Team (Arguing against the motion): Team Members: Ina Kopp, Hemant Rathi, Valentin III C Dones
Role: Arguing that human expertise is indispensable in evidence synthesis, and AI cannot fully replace it.
Join us at the Global Evidence Summit for a dynamic and thought-provoking debate on a pivotal question: "Should AI Replace Humans in Evidence Synthesis?" As artificial intelligence continues to advance, its potential to revolutionise evidence synthesis sparks both excitement and concern. This session will explore the balance between human expertise and machine efficiency, examining whether AI can truly replicate the nuanced judgment and critical thinking that humans bring to the table. Expert panelists will argue both sides of the motion, providing insights into the ethical, practical, and scientific implications of AI-driven synthesis. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the current capabilities of AI, its limitations, and what the future might hold for the field. This lively and engaging debate promises to be not only educational but also highly entertaining—a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of evidence-based practice. Don't miss the chance to witness this critical discussion and to participate in shaping the future of evidence synthesis!
Voting: The audience will decide on the winning team using an online voting tool (Slido). If time permits, questions from the floor will be taken, or final reflections will be shared.