The new magazine "INESC TEC Science & Society" is now available
The main theme of the first edition is “Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Health”.
27th November 2020
The new magazine "INESC TEC Science & Society", focused on disseminating science among society and contributing to the discussion of public policies most influenced by technology, is now available on science-society.inesctec.pt. In line with current events, the special theme of this first edition is “Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Health”, comprehending 11 articles by 19 authors who dedicate their lives to research and teaching in these fields.
It is not a scientific journal, nor a news bulletin or newsletter from a R&D institution. The magazine "INESC TEC Science & Society" gathers opinion articles by researchers on the topic selected for each issue, seeking to contextualise and clarify readers, highlighting solutions that support decision-makers and enable real scientific and technological advances.
AI-based technologies innovate in diagnostic and screening processes
In this first issue, you will learn that we have been interacting with Artificial Intelligence systems for a long time; however, most of the time, we are not aware of it. You will also know that these systems are not foolproof, and that they still make 'childish' mistakes. Yet, detecting COVID-19 imaging in X-rays is now possible thanks to an innovative technology. Artificial Intelligence is also used in the screening of diabetic retinopathy, in the diagnosis of gastric cancer and other oncological disorders, supporting the decisions of doctors through data science and machine learning techniques.
The “Current Issues” chapter presents STAYAWAY COVID, a digital contact tracing application for COVID-19, with 2.6 million downloads, and the hospital cleaning robot, a safe and efficient solution to avoid infections, which is already being tested at the S. Martinho hospital in Valongo. And because we keep learning from History, we look into the past, by recollecting the bubonic plague epidemic - which, in 1899, led to the sanitary siege of Porto and isolated the city for five months.
Giving scientists a voice for the discussion of public policies
As an Associated Laboratory, INESC TEC has played an active role in advising public entities dedicated to science and innovation. “Throughout our 35 years of existence, we have been contributing to the definition of science, technology and innovation guidelines that support national Public Policies, in fields such as Energy, Health or Digital Skills”, recalled Artur Pimenta Alves, coordinator of the magazine.
Mário Amorim Lopes, from the Centre for Industrial Engineering and Management (CEGI), is one of the co-editors of the Special Theme, and he truly believes that the main purpose of science is to improve the economic and social conditions of humankind. "We believe that scientists must participate in the discussion of Public Policies, because when these based on the best available evidence and an open and plural discussion, they become the best way to ensure a more prosperous society", said Mário Lopes, in one of his articles. Aurélio Campilho, from the Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research (C-BER), also acting as co-editor, agrees that the scientific community must be actively involved, clarifying doubts, discussing subjects, providing opinions and showing the best paths. “This is what we aim to do with INESC TEC Science & Society”, he said.
Two editions per year with free subscription
The magazine, available in digital format (in Portuguese and English), will feature two issues per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Each issue will address a special theme, without excluding other relevant articles published around that period, and the autumn issue will focus on the same theme of the annual Autumn Forum, organised by INESC TEC.
The main theme of the first edition is “Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Health”, “quite adequate to the circumstances that we are going through”, as mentioned by Artur Pimenta Alves. "The next edition will focus on Industry", disclosed the Associate Director of INESC TEC.
“INESC TEC Science & Society”: free subscription on science-society.inesctec.pt