Science for a Better Tomorrow

This book explores the intersection of biosciences, artificial intelligence (AI), and information technology (IT), highlighting their potential to drive innovation in biomedicine and health, particularly in the context of pandemic resiliency and human longevity. The book expands on the discussion held at the Curious2024 – Future Insight Conference, capturing the innovative spirit and collaborative ethos of the conference.
In this book, readers will find a diverse array of topics, including individualized medicine for cardiovascular disease, the sustainable transformation of chemical processes, and the future of drug discovery through an AI-driven lens. The book also investigates the role of synthetic biology in leveraging the ground truth of intelligence and explores the potential of developing conscious service robots.
Chapters written by keynote speakers from the Curious2024 – Future Insight Conference emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogue for breakthrough innovation. These contributions also provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, making this book an essential read for those interested in the future of science and technology.
By highlighting the crucial role of scientists in solving today's problems and enabling the dreams of a better tomorrow, the book appeals to a broad readership of researchers, scholars, and practitioners in biosciences, AI, and IT. It also serves as a valuable resource for early career researchers seeking mentorship and guidance.

Ulrich Betz is Senior Vice President Innovation at Merck and Chairman of the Board of Future Insight e.V.. He has been appointed by the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany as a member of the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat). He is also a member of the LOEWE scientific advisory board for Hessen as well as a member of the board of the German Chemical Society (GDCh). Ulrich is an accomplished R&D manager with >25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry and has worked at various scientific and managerial positions at Bayer and Merck. He received his PhD in functional genomics and immunology from the University of Cologne, Germany, worked for his diploma thesis at the Max Planck Institute for Immunology and studied biochemistry and physiological chemistry at the University of Tübingen, Germany. He is a co-inventor of the anti-viral drugs Letermovir (Prevymis) and Pritelivir and has won several innovation awards such as the German Industry Innovation Award and two International Business Awards (Stevie Gold Awards Executive of the Year – Pharmaceuticals and Innovator of the Year). Ulrich is author and co-author of >100 publications and patents (e.g. Cell, Nature Medicine, Nature Biotechnology, Cell Reports, books).