NEJM AI Grand Rounds

Latest Episodes:

From Single Neurons to AI Systems: The Evolution of Decision Sciences in Medicine with Dr. Eric Horvitz Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the AI Grand Rounds podcast, Dr. Eric Horvitz describes his career evolution from an interest in neurobiology to significant contributions in AI, particularly in understanding complex systems and applying AI in medicine. He discusses the shift from studying neurobiology to embracing AI and computational methods as tools for unraveling the complexities of the human mind and broader decision-making processes. Horvitz emphasizes the importance of probabilistic models and decision theory in AI, highlighting his work on bounded rationality and the challenges of interpretability in AI systems. He also reflects on the potential of AI in medicine, the necessity of responsible AI development, and the future of AI research. He suggests a blend of excitement and caution as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into various aspects of human life and decision making.

Transcript.

AI Frontiers with James Zou: The Future of Multi-Modal AI in Medicine Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the AI Grand Rounds podcast, Dr. James Zou shares his personal journey to discovering machine learning during his graduate studies at Harvard. Fascinated by the potential of AI and its application to genomics and medicine, Dr. Zou embarked on a journey that took him from journalism to the forefront of AI research. He has been instrumental at Stanford in translating machine learning advancements into clinical settings, particularly through genomics. The discussion also delves into the unique use of social media for gathering medical data, showcasing an innovative approach to AI model training with real-world medical discussions. Dr. Zou touches on the ethical implications of AI, the importance of responsible AI development, and the potential of language models like GPT-4 in medicine, despite the challenges of model drift and alignment with human preferences.

Transcript.

Interrogating AI Fairness and Bias in Dermatology and Beyond with Dr. Roxana Daneshjou Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the AI Grand Rounds podcast, Dr. Roxana Daneshjou shares her journey from a childhood influenced by early exposure to science to her current role as an assistant professor at Stanford. Her path includes a critical shift during medical school, where her interest in computational methods and human genomics led her to pursue both an M.D. and a Ph.D. Her specialization in dermatology was driven by its visual nature and the opportunity to form long-term relationships with patients. Dr. Daneshjou emphasizes the importance of AI in addressing fairness and bias in dermatology, discussing her research on disparities in AI performance across diverse skin tones. The podcast also delves into broader issues of AI in health care, discussing the potential and challenges of integrating large language models into medical practice, and highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and computer scientists in AI development. Dr. Daneshjou’s optimism for the future centers on the new generation of medical professionals who are increasingly concerned about fairness and equity in AI.

Transcript.

Medicine as a Knowledge Processing Discipline with Dr. Zak Kohane Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Zak Kohane shares his journey into AI and medicine, reflecting on early influences from science fiction authors and programming experiences in his youth. He discusses his academic path, moving from programming and machine instruction to medical school, driven partly by practical advice and personal ambition. Kohane highlights his realization during medical school that medicine was not as scientifically advanced as he expected, motivating his interest in improving medical decision-making through AI. He recalls his time at MIT, contrasting the intellectual freedom there with today’s academic environment, and reflects on the impact of large language models in medicine, emphasizing their real-world applications and potential to transform medical practice. Kohane also discusses the importance of mentorship, his approach to nurturing talent, and the role of his department at Harvard in advancing the field of biomedical informatics. Finally, he shares insights on the NEJM AI journal, its objectives, and the challenges and opportunities in medical AI today.

Transcript.

Examining Open-Source Frameworks and AI in Medicine with Interventional Radiologist Dr. Judy Gichoya Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Judy Wawira Gichoya, Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, details her journey from Kenya to the United States, from interventional radiology to artificial intelligence.

Transcript.

Machines & Genes: The Future of AI in Biology with Dr. George Church Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, vanguard geneticist Dr. George Church recounts his storied career from his early fascination with computers and science to his pioneering work in genomics and synthetic biology. Dr. Church developed innovative DNA sequencing methods that enabled the first sequencing of the human genome. He was also instrumental in developing CRISPR gene editing technology. Dr. Church discusses his controversial ideas around resurrecting wooly mammoths and using genome sequencing in dating apps to prevent genetic diseases. He also provides insights into founding genomics companies and the role of AI in advancing biotechnology. As a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and the founder of multiple genomics companies, Dr. Church emphasizes the potential for synthetic biology and genetics to transform medicine and society.

Transcript.

Mark Cuban on AI, Trust in Health Care, and Skip Bayless Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we’re joined by business magnate and investor Mark Cuban. Cuban describes his journey from humble beginnings as a self-taught programmer to becoming a successful serial entrepreneur and owner of an NBA team. Cuban shares the founding story of his pharmacy benefits company, Cost Plus Drugs, and his vision for reimagining the reimbursement system for care. He also articulates why he believes AI will be more transformative than prior technology shifts such as mobile and the internet and unpacks the potential of AI in addressing previously intractable problems in healthcare. Cuban is a self-made billionaire, bestselling author, star of Shark Tank, and owner of the Dallas Mavericks.

Transcript

An Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove: A Conversation with Dr. Atul Butte Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, pioneering informatician Dr. Atul Butte guides listeners through his storied career, from his early days as a pediatric endocrinologist and informatician in Boston to his trailblazing work on the West Coast. Dr. Butte describes his trailblazing efforts to both harness large-scale public biomedical data and share patient data across the entire UC Health System. Dr. Butte also discusses his entrepreneurial journey, including the genesis and vision behind companies like NuMedii. Dr. Butte is the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Distinguished Professor at UCSF and the Chief Data Scientist of the UC Health System.

Transcript

The Double-Edged Sword of AI, with Dr. Ziad Obermeyer Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Ziad Obermeyer delves into the complex issues of bias, safety, and generalizability of medical AI. Dr. Obermeyer emphasizes the importance of machine learning researchers’ task formulation, an often-overlooked yet significant determinant of bias in AI algorithms. Highlighting the dual impact of machine learning, he compares two of his works that demonstrate how AI can either exacerbate or help mitigate health care disparities. Lastly, he discusses the significant challenges encountered in the development of AI models due to siloed and inaccessible data, sharing his own experiences and solutions in tackling this issue. Dr. Obermeyer is the Blue Cross of California Distinguished Professor at the Berkeley School of Public Health, Co-Founder of Nightingale Open Science, and Co-Founder of Dandelion Health.

Transcript

Can AI Be Harmful? A Conversation with MIT’s Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi has been at the forefront of medical machine learning for several years. In this episode, she describes her group’s work and her perspectives on developing and applying machine learning to understand and improve health in ways that are robust, private, and fair. Dr. Ghassemi is an Assistant Professor at MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Institute for Medical Engineering & Science.

Transcript

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