'Digital twins of organs can help us solve big challenges'

India's largest IT services provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is building a digital twin of the heart of American marathoner Des Linden, who will participate in the New York City Marathon on 5 November.

- Leslie D'Monte

The so-called digital bio-twin will provide Linden with real-time data on how her heart functions and responds to different conditions while training for and running marathons. In an interview, Frank Diana, principal futurist at TCS, talks about the significance of digital twins across sectors, and shares his views on generative artificial intelligence, artificial general intelligence (AGI), synthetic biology and quantum computing. Edited excerpts:

What exactly are digital bio-twins?

If we can digitally mimic organs such as the heart, colon, skin, and nose, and allow for simulation and some level of predictability, we will be able to solve big challenges for health and wellness sector. Digital bio-twins can complement wearables, and the data flowing through them can help us better understand how the body reacts and responds to activities like running as in Linden's case.

How are digital twins used across sectors?