"Reaching 100 is no longer a dream. The important question is how healthily we can reach 100."
Longevity experts from around the world convened in Gochang, South Korea, to discuss solutions for achieving a healthspan of 100 years. The focus was particularly on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and Human Digital Twin (HDT) technology as key drivers in the future of longevity medicine.
On June 10, during the second day of the 30th International Consortium on Longevity (ICC) annual conference held in Gochang, over 50 longevity experts from 18 research institutions across 13 countries, including the United States, Japan, France, China, and Brazil, shared their latest research findings.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ICC, a leading academic network in global longevity research. The conference featured presentations on various topics, including genomic studies of centenarians, precision medicine, fermented foods, dental health, and digital healthcare.
Participants emphasized that the goal of longevity research is shifting from merely extending lifespan to enhancing healthspan.
The most attention-grabbing topics were AI-based precision medicine and Human Digital Twin technology. HDT integrates an individual's genetic information, health check results, lifestyle, and medical history to create a virtual digital human. This technology can predict disease risks and design personalized health management strategies.
Researchers at the conference identified AI as a core technology that will lead advancements in longevity medicine over the next decade. They predict that while past longevity research focused on medicine and biology, future studies will involve collaborative efforts among data scientists, AI researchers, and digital healthcare experts.
Gochang, the conference venue, also drew attention as a notable longevity region. With a population of about 50,000, more than half are aged 60 and older, and over 1,200 residents are over 90. The area is recognized for its clean natural environment, traditional food culture, and strong community ties, making it an important site for longevity research.
The Korean Centenarian Research Group's two-decade accumulation of research data was also a focal point. The group has built a rare long-term dataset that comprehensively tracks centenarians' genetic information, lifestyle habits, nutritional status, mental health, cognitive function, and social activities.
According to their findings, recent centenarians in Korea have higher education levels and lower rates of smoking and drinking compared to previous generations, while their life satisfaction has significantly improved. Notably, the proportion of those who can perform household chores independently has increased from 2.8% in 2001 to over 25% recently, indicating healthier aging potential.
Research on traditional Korean fermented foods also garnered interest. Researchers presented findings that foods like doenjang, cheonggukjang, kimchi, jeotgal, and seaweeds can improve gut microbiome health and enhance nutrient absorption, aligning with recent medical interest in gut microbiome studies.
Dr. Yu-Shin Seo, a leading aging researcher at Columbia University, stated, "Centenarians are the best natural laboratory humanity can have," explaining that rare functional gene mutations play a crucial role in stress response, DNA repair, and cellular aging inhibition.
Dr. Jean-Marie Robine, a French demographer, emphasized the need to study what enables people to live long and healthy lives rather than what causes early death. He suggested focusing on the modal age at death as a more relevant indicator than life expectancy.
A research team led by Professor Yasuyuki Gondo from Osaka University presented findings from the long-term SONIC project, highlighting that dental health is a key factor in determining healthspan. They noted that declining chewing ability can lead to nutritional imbalances, muscle loss, and cognitive decline.
Experts at the conference assessed that South Korea, with its rapidly aging population, has the potential to lead global longevity research. They also forecasted that AI-based precision medicine and digital twin technology will be essential tools in achieving a healthspan of 100 years.
Experts remarked, "This Gochang conference is a platform for seeking solutions to the shared challenges faced by humanity in an ultra-aging society," adding that while the goal of 20th-century medicine was disease treatment, the focus of 21st-century medicine is likely to be healthy aging.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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