Digital Twins – virtual replicas of physical objects, processes, or systems that are used to simulate, predict, and improve real-world activities – will revolutionize healthcare in the coming years, based on findings from a study conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
The study, the TCS Digital Twindex, was prepared by TCS Futurists based on a survey conducted using the Delphi technique, which is utilized in foresight to reduce bias and reach consensus around both quantitative and qualitative questions. Participants in the study included scientists, futurists, and subject matter experts from across TCS’ networks.
The results from the inaugural TCS Digital Twindex demonstrate the potential for digital twin technology to shape the next decade and beyond, with digital twins becoming commonplace across business and society by 2035.
In healthcare, 52 percent of participants believe broad adoption of digital twins in life sciences and healthcare will happen in the next 3 years; however, 42 percent agreed it will take 10 or more years before full digital twins of human bodies become commonplace.
Experts predict that the benefits of digital twins will be democratized across many industries, but the resulting real-time healthcare management will be most beneficial to human lives.
For example, digital twins of the human body can help ensure medical procedures are rehearsed and run smoothly and will enable highly personalized treatment. This will be the most difficult feat to accomplish, with surveyed experts believing a digital twin of the full human body is at least 10 years away for most of us, given the complexity, variations, and likely regulatory requirements. That said, individual twins of human organs, such as TCS’ Heart and Skin BioTwins, already show the potential of future treatments.
It’s clear from responses from a network of futurists and digital twin experts in this report that this technology will soon work in support of people reaching their full potential.
Also, as mentioned by several respondents, digital twins in healthcare could significantly impact and improve human lives. The technology can aid in personalized treatment plans by creating a digital replica of an individual’s health profile. This would enable doctors to predict health outcomes, monitor chronic conditions, and optimize treatment strategies. Digital twins can also streamline drug development and clinical trials, potentially leading to faster cures and more effective medicines.
A digital twin that encompasses the entire healthcare ecosystem would allow for holistic patient care. It would enable care providers to have a full picture of a patient’s health history, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors, leading to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatments.
Furthermore, it could streamline healthcare operations and coordination among different healthcare providers, enhancing overall patient care and reducing costs.
In conclusion, digital twins are poised to be a major force in the transformation of business and society in the next 10 years. Futurists and experts envision that the healthcare industry will be one of the first industries impacted by this technology.
As innovation continues, humans stand to benefit in incredible ways from the widespread adoption of digital twins. The world of the 2030s could see every person have a digital twin “live” alongside them, learning and changing in real-time.
As demonstrated by the Digital Twindex, digital twin technology has the potential to save many lives in the coming years.
The author, Frank Diana, is Principal Futurist, at TCS.