Miguel Luengo-Oroz combined the power of crowdsourcing and mobile gaming to diagnose malaria. As a distinguished scientist, entrepreneur, and policy advisor, he is renowned for his pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in global health. As the founder and CEO of Spotlab, a social enterprise based in Madrid, Spain, he is dedicated to democratizing access to quality diagnostics through innovative AI and mobile technologies. His extensive career includes serving as the first Chief Data Scientist at the United Nations, where he led data innovation initiatives across various sectors, including humanitarian response, global health, sustainable development, and human rights. Miguel's commitment to responsible AI has earned him numerous accolades, including the Ashoka Fellowship and recognition as a MIT Technology Review TR35 innovator.
2. The Problem
Malaria continues to be one of the deadliest diseases in the world, with millions of people affected each year, particularly in resource-constrained regions. The diagnosis of malaria traditionally requires highly trained specialists to examine blood samples under a microscope to identify the parasites. Unfortunately, there is a significant shortage of specialists in many parts of the world, slowing down the diagnosis process and resulting in delayed treatments. Without rapid diagnosis, individuals are at risk of severe complications or death. To address this global health crisis, there is a pressing need for faster, more accessible diagnostic solutions.
3. The Solution
Miguel’s solution, Spotlab, tackles this problem by combining technology with crowdsourcing to create a game-changing diagnostic tool. Rather than relying on scarce specialists alone, Spotlab uses mobile gaming to engage the global community in identifying malaria parasites. The platform works by pushing out images of blood samples, much like how NASA pushes out images of planets for public identification. Instead of shooting aliens, players aim to identify malaria parasites on these blood samples. In doing so, they help detect parasites in the blood of actual individuals, drastically speeding up the diagnosis process and ultimately fighting malaria in a way that is scalable, efficient, and fun. Through this mobile gaming platform, Spotlab harnesses the power of crowdsourcing to improve malaria diagnostics in under-resourced areas.
4. The Motivation
Miguel’s motivation to create Spotlab stems from his desire to use technology to address pressing global health challenges. After recognizing the inefficiencies in traditional malaria diagnosis, he was inspired by the way NASA crowdsources the identification of planets. He realized that by adapting this model to the fight against malaria, he could engage the global community to speed up diagnosis and make a real impact. His vision was to make the identification of malaria parasites not only faster but also more accessible to regions that desperately need it. The result is a game that not only accelerates diagnosis but also empowers people to contribute to solving one of the world’s most persistent health issues.
5. The Lessons
Miguel’s work with Spotlab teaches several important lessons for innovators and social entrepreneurs. First, it demonstrates the power of crowdsourcing to solve complex problems. By turning malaria diagnosis into a game, he tapped into the collective effort of the public, leveraging their skills to make a significant impact. Second, it highlights the importance of innovative thinking in addressing global health challenges. Spotlab’s approach reimagines traditional diagnostic methods and proves that with creativity, we can create scalable solutions to complex issues. Lastly, Miguel’s story underscores the importance of making technology accessible and engaging to the broader public, as the success of Spotlab hinges on the active participation of people from all walks of life.
Conclusion
Miguel Luengo-Oroz’s Spotlab illustrates how technology, gamification, and community engagement can address some of the world’s most urgent needs. By transforming the malaria diagnostic process into a mobile game, Spotlab has created a unique solution that engages people around the world to fight malaria. This creative use of mobile gaming to crowdsource parasite identification is a testament to how technology and public participation can combine to improve health outcomes. Spotlab’s work is a powerful example of how social entrepreneurship can transform industries, save lives, and make a lasting impact on global health.