Increased interoperability, data sharing and digital innovation seem to offer the answers to address not only crucial needs in healthcare – such as data consistency, operational efficiency, evidence-based practices, continuity of care and better population health management – but also to allow content and asset portability in other systems and platforms, such as metaverse, banking and other regulated sectors. But there are significant challenges that should be addressed through legal frameworks, regulatory flexibility and incentivising innovation.

This panel will address: the definition and types of interoperability, data sharing and digital innovation and how they enable different systems to communicate, exchange and use data in a coordinated and meaningful way; the benefits of interoperability, data sharing and digital innovation for various stakeholders, enhancing efficiency and productivity, and facilitating data-driven decision making; the challenges and barriers to achieving these objectives, such as technical, semantic, organisational, legal, ethical, regulatory, privacy, intellectual property (IP) and cultural issues; the current state and future trends of interoperability, such as the adoption of standards, frameworks and policies, the emergence of new technologies and platforms (including artificial intelligence); and the role of innovation and collaboration.