Never underestimate the value of scientific progress. From curing diseases to improving education to finding sustainable sources of energy, science is essential for addressing the most serious challenges of our civilization. The more quickly and effectively that scientists are able to do their work, the easier it is for them to achieve these goals and bring humanity forward. It is essential that we remove any and all obstacles to scientific advancement.

Sadly, scientists still face serious roadblocks in their attempts to understand the natural world. This makes it harder for them to continue their research at a rapid pace, delaying their solutions to some of the most pressing problems of our generation. Given that thousands of lives and even the survival of our species are at stake, we must do a better job of clearing the road for scientific advancement. That starts with understanding the most serious roadblocks, such as:

A Shortage of Shared Data

Nothing matters more in science than data. Data from past research gives scientists an idea of what to study, indicating which avenues of research are likely to bear fruit and which will lead to dead ends. Likewise, by gathering as much data as possible from their efforts and storing it somewhere that is accessible to other researchers, scientists can make sure their work has as large an impact as possible. Even if a researcher does not achieve their particular goals in a study, their colleagues may later be able to use their data for some other initiative.

Given how important it is for scientists to share data, the current system for exchanging information leaves a lot to be desired. At present, large data institutions have gained control over vast reams of information that scientists need. They charge scientists enormous prices to access this data, knowing that their customers don’t have anywhere else to get it. This limits the amount of information that scientists have access to. As a result, scientists aren’t able to begin as many research projects, and even when they do conduct research, they are often unaware of data that has important implications for what they’re studying.

The solution to this problem lies in finding an affordable and accessible way for scientists to exchange their findings and insights. A digital platform where scientists can connect with one another, find out who has data they can use, and make a secure deal to exchange that data would advance scientific progress considerably. Until then, the large data institutions will continue to dominate scientific research, limiting scientists’ ability to share what they know.

Challenges to Collaboration

Even if scientists had no trouble sharing their data with each other, they still might not be willing to do so. This is because science remains a highly competitive environment, with top scientists competing with each other for jobs, resources, and recognition. When two scientists agree to share data or work together on a project, there is always a risk that one will try to take credit for the other’s work. As a result, scientists are wary of working with one another, and often refuse to do so even when it would make their own jobs easier.

Some amount of competition is necessary in scientific research; otherwise, scientists would have little incentive to try to improve one another’s work. But it’s important that this competition occur within an environment that encourages scientists to respect each other and uphold their own promises. By developing a framework that rewards scientists who keep their word, we can limit the negative effects of scientific competition.

Smart contracts may hold the key to developing such a framework. Based on blockchain technology, smart contracts are programed to enforce themselves given predetermined inputs. When two scientists sign such a contract with each other, they are taking the agreement out of human hands. Both individuals can trust that they will get what they were promised if and only if they uphold their own promises. This provides a respectful, trustworthy foundation for scientific collaboration, ensuring that even the most competitive scientists don’t undermine one another.

An Overload of Information

Even if scientists can agree on a collaborative framework and access all the data they need, they may still have trouble getting their research off the ground. This is due in large part to the problem of information overload. Scientists may need to go through huge amounts of data in order to find parts that are relevant to them. If they don’t know where to look ahead of time, even a team of scientists may need days or weeks to do this. This slows down the research process and makes it harder for scientists to ensure that they’re aware of every detail that is relevant to their work.

The rise of computer data storage has helped to relieve this problem, as scientists can now perform search functions on data that they previously would have had to read through. But current search engines lack the ability to interpret the nuances of human speech, and may have a hard time identifying all relevant information from data written or spoken by humans. What’s necessary is a search engine that can interpret informal language as effectively as the human brain can. Recent advances in artificial intelligence may make this possible, allowing us to combine the speed of a search engine with the colloquial knowledge of the human mind.