NEJM AI Grand Rounds

Dr. Faisal Mahmood, an Associate Professor of Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shares his groundbreaking work in AI and pathology. He discusses how foundational models can transform digital diagnostics and reflects on the power of open-source culture for innovation. Faisal explores the development of PathChat, a generative AI co-pilot, and its FDA breakthrough designation. He also ponders the future of patient-level models and the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare through real-time data analysis.

Morgan Cheatham, a venture capitalist at Bessemer and a medical student at Brown, dives into the intersection of AI and genomic medicine. He reveals how AI is revolutionizing clinical documentation and decision-making, making medicine more precise. Morgan shares insights from his research on ChatGPT's USMLE performance and discusses the hurdles of outdated payment models in healthcare. His journey highlights the blend of medical training and venture capital, emphasizing that innovation must be supported by sustainable business strategies.

Dr. Emily Alsentzer, an assistant professor at Stanford University and an expert in natural language processing, takes listeners on a journey from medicine to AI. She discusses her evolution from a pre-med background to specializing in clinical AI. The conversation dives into the biases present in AI healthcare diagnostics, particularly with GPT-4, highlighting the disparities in diagnostic accuracy across demographics. Emily also emphasizes the need for collaboration between clinicians and computer scientists, addressing the future of AI in medical research.

Dr. Zak Kohane, a leading figure in AI and medicine, returns to delve into the pressing challenges within the healthcare system. He highlights the Human Values Project and the pivotal role of AI in bridging gaps caused by doctor shortages. The conversation touches on philosophical discussions about machine psychology in healthcare and the evolving dynamics of doctor-patient relationships. Kohane also emphasizes how multimodal data and AI tools can enhance decision-making, setting the stage for advancements in medical diagnostics and education.

Larry Summers, a seasoned economist and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, dives into the transformative power of AI in a stimulating conversation. He highlights AI as possibly the most significant technology ever invented, reshaping economics and society. Summers provides insights on his role at OpenAI during a critical leadership transition and discusses the governance challenges posed by AI's rapid evolution. The discussion also navigates the interplay of economic principles and AI development, emphasizing the necessity of human values in shaping future technologies.

Courtney Hofmann, a mother who turned to ChatGPT for help after years of misdiagnoses, shares her remarkable journey to uncover her son's tethered cord syndrome. Dr. Holly Gilmer, the pediatric neurosurgeon who treated him, discusses the importance of combining AI insights with medical expertise. They tackle systemic healthcare challenges, the evolving role of AI in patient advocacy, and the transformative potential of technology in navigating complex medical issues. Together, they highlight the collaboration needed between AI and human care for better outcomes.

In this episode of NEJM AI Grand Rounds, hosts Raj Manrai and Andy Beam interview Dr. David Ouyang, a cardiologist and AI researcher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The conversation explores Ouyang’s journey from medical training to AI research and entrepreneurship, his groundbreaking work in applying AI to cardiology imaging, and the challenges of bringing AI innovations from academia to clinical practice. Ouyang discusses his experience conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for AI algorithms in echocardiography, the process of commercializing research through Y Combinator, and the hurdles in reimbursement for AI-based medical devices. The episode also delves into the future of AI in cardiology, the importance of clinician involvement in AI development, and the potential impact of large language models (LLMs) on medical practice. Ouyang shares insights on balancing clinical value with business considerations in health care AI and offers advice for researchers looking to conduct clinical trials for AI technologies. Transcript.

In this engaging conversation, Noa Dagan and Ran Balicer from the Clalit Research Institute share insights into their innovative work with predictive models in healthcare. They discuss leveraging a unique dataset to enhance Hepatitis C screening and how data shaped responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The duo emphasizes the transformative power of AI in public health, plans for a digital health residency, and the importance of mentorship in emerging public health professionals. With a touch of humor, they even ponder alternative careers and favorite superpowers.

In this engaging discussion, Vijay Pande, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz specializing in health care investments, shares his transition from academia to venture capital. He discusses the transformative potential of AI in health care, addressing both challenges and opportunities. Pande emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary work between medical professionals and AI specialists to revolutionize patient care. He also dives into competitive dynamics among AI models and reflects on how AI could democratize health access, reminiscent of past technological revolutions.

Dr. Rohaid Ali and Dr. Fatima Mirza, chief residents at Brown University, dive into their innovative applications of AI in healthcare. They discuss transforming surgical consent forms with ChatGPT for better patient understanding and creating a custom AI-generated voice for a young patient who lost hers to a brain tumor. Balancing personal and professional dynamics as a couple, they share stories from their journeys and playful insights through a newlywed game segment, while emphasizing the importance of equitable access and responsible AI deployment in medicine.