(US & Canada) | People Knowing Their Part in Data Value Chain Tend to Prioritize Quality – Accenture CDO and Global Generative AI Lead for Life Sciences

Tracy Ring, CDO and Global Generative AI Lead for Life Sciences at Accenture, speaks with Amy Horowitz, VP of Data Governance Solution Sales at Informatica, in a video interview about balancing the opportunities with risk of generative AI, training teams to leverage the technology, and democratizing data across the organization.

Ring begins by stating that generative AI is ubiquitous with a lot of people using it for a variety of use cases. From using it as a co-pilot at work or to creating holiday cards.

Speaking about balancing the opportunities with risk with generative AI, particularly within her domain of life sciences, Ring emphasizes the heightened importance of patient safety, prioritizing it above all else. While she acknowledges the potential for transformative advancements in bringing therapeutics to market and innovating patient care, she stresses that such progress must never compromise data security or put patients and healthcare providers at risk of exposure.

There is a notable surge in proof of concepts and technologies in the field of life sciences, with a focus on areas like microcompression. However, Ring underscores the cautious approach towards total reinvention of the value chain, highlighting the industry's commitment to responsible and ethical practices. She draws attention to the high stakes in healthcare, where any misstep could have severe consequences.

Further, Ring discusses the perception of risk between self-driving automobiles and drug discovery, noting that despite the complexity and risks associated with self-driving technology, the pharmaceutical industry often faces even greater challenges. She highlights the importance of responsible and ethical decision-making in navigating these complexities.

Next, Ring emphasizes the importance of training teams across the organization to leverage these new capabilities effectively. One approach involves reimagining traditional processes. For instance, she mentions a client empowering over 10,000 employees by providing them with tools like "co-pilots" to tackle tasks that were previously mundane or error-prone. This shift not only enhances productivity but also boosts job satisfaction, allowing employees to focus on their core competencies rather than repetitive tasks.

Speaking further on the topic, Ring underscores the significance of adopting industry-wide practices that lead to a transformative and enriching experience for workers. By streamlining operations and minimizing the time spent on tasks like data processing, employees can engage more meaningfully in their respective fields.

Ring highlights the role of trust as the cornerstone of responsible AI. Establishing trust allows organizations to embark on strategic initiatives that drive transformation across the entire value chain. Furthermore, she discusses the importance of robust self-service mechanisms in fostering organizational buy-in and readiness for embracing AI-driven changes.

When asked about balancing democratizing data and empowering data consumers while using data responsibly, Ring says that as individuals are getting more into self-service they need to think about their role in that data value chain. They need to understand that the data they are contributing to is going to be used for something. That way, Ring says, they are more likely to be careful while collecting or creating data.

Ring emphasizes the need for highlighting the role of individuals as both consumers and creators of data, recognizing data assets as invaluable for organizations.

CDO Magazine appreciates Tracy Ring for sharing her invaluable data insights with our global community.