ASHG convened its Industry Roundtable in April 2026, bringing together Society leaders and representatives from companies across human genetics and genomics—including Illumina, BridgeBio, GeneDx, and PacBio. The Roundtable serves as a collaborative forum to discuss challenges and opportunities in the field, review progress on shared priorities, and identify new opportunities for partnership and investment that can advance human genetics and genomics for researchers, clinicians, and the public.
Public Engagement and Scientific Communication
ASHG President Susan A. Slaugenhaupt, PhD spoke about both the urgency and the obstacles of communicating science and strengthening public understanding of human genetics and genomics in a rapidly changing information environment, including the need to address misinformation. The group discussed opportunities to build on ASHG’s public-facing resources and to develop stronger communications training for genetics and genomics professionals, so they are better equipped to engage public audiences with clarity and confidence.
New Opportunities Through NIH Collaboration
Josh Denny, MD, MS of the NIH All of Us Research Program, provided an update on recent developments in one of the nation’s most ambitious precision health efforts. According to Dr. Denny, despite funding challenges, the program continues to release new data resources and deepen understanding of human genomics and precision health. Particularly notable was the update that All of Us multiomic data are now open to a broader user base, including international researchers and for-profit corporations, with barriers to access reduced where possible.
Data Sharing and Responsible Innovation
Data sharing remained a central topic, continuing a theme from previous Industry Roundtable meetings. With a revised NIH data sharing policy expected, ASHG emphasized the importance of distinguishing among levels of data sharing and access based on a clear risk-benefit framework. The goal is to preserve broad, responsible, and timely sharing of genomic data while appropriately accounting for privacy and other risks.
The Roundtable also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in human genetics and genomics. Building on recommendations from the previous meeting, ASHG reported progress on its new AI Initiative, which includes a summit on AI implications and governance, a virtual symposium in September focused on practical applications, and a final white paper aimed at recommending activities and policies to support responsible and effective AI use in the field.
Investing in Global Leadership and Workforce Development
Another important area of discussion was how to better support the next generation of genetics and genomics professionals. Following up on conversations from the October meeting, Livia Loureiro, PhD of Illumina shared outcomes from the pilot ASHG/Illumina Latin American Scholars program. The workforce discussion also extended to the increasing need for training that bridges research and clinical application. As genomics moves more rapidly into clinical settings, Roundtable members discussed opportunities to develop clinical laboratory training for researchers as a way to strengthen career readiness and help ensure the workforce is prepared for the field’s evolving demands.
Key Recommendations Moving Forward
ASHG is continuing to explore these ideas with Industry Roundtable members and partners. As the field of human genetics and genomics evolves, the Roundtable remains an important venue for identifying where collaborative action can have the greatest impact—whether by improving communication, expanding access to research resources, supporting career development, or helping shape responsible approaches to emerging technologies.