Microsoft Research Podcast

Dr. Umair Shah, former Washington State Secretary of Health and health innovation expert, joins Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, President of Mayo Clinic, to discuss the revolutionary role of AI in healthcare. They explore how innovative technologies can reshape public health strategies and improve patient experiences. Umair shares his journey in launching Rickshaw Health, while Gianrico highlights AI's impact on chronic disease management. The conversation also emphasizes the need for collaboration between public health leaders and AI developers to harness technology effectively.

Morgan Cheatham, a Brown Medical School graduate with clinical training at Harvard, and Daniel Chen, a med student with a neuroscience background, dive into the transformative effects of generative AI on medical education. They discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping learning and decision-making in healthcare. The duo highlights the need for AI integration in medical training and the importance of balancing technology with traditional skills. They also consider the evolving responsibilities of healthcare professionals in this tech-driven era.

Amanda Craig Deckard, Senior Director of Public Policy in Microsoft's Office of Responsible AI, shares insights on AI testing and evaluation. She discusses the need for effective governance, highlighting lessons learned about pre-deployment and post-deployment testing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rigor, standardization, and interpretability in AI evaluation. Deckard also explores the sociotechnical impacts of AI and the necessity of collaborative efforts across sectors to ensure responsible AI development, drawing parallels from fields like cybersecurity.

Ciaran Martin, a professor at Oxford and former head of the UK's National Cybersecurity Center, and Tori Westerhoff, Principal Director at Microsoft’s AI Red Team, dive deep into the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. They discuss the importance of differentiated cybersecurity standards and the role of public-private partnerships in enhancing security. Martin shares insights from historical events, while Westerhoff highlights how red teaming can pinpoint AI vulnerabilities during development, ensuring safer technological advancements.

Daphne Koller, CEO of InCitro, Noubar Afeyan, founder of Flagship Pioneering, and Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, explore the revolutionary impact of AI in biomedical research. They discuss AI's role in accelerating drug target identification and transforming biotech R&D. Exciting advancements include a promising ALS drug target and the vision of creating a virtual cell within a decade. The trio emphasizes AI's potential in personalized medicine and the significance of embracing skepticism in innovation.

In this intriguing discussion, Daniel Carpenter, a Harvard government expert on FDA regulations, Timo Minssen, a Copenhagen law professor specializing in biomedical innovation, and Chad Atalla from Microsoft Research explore the complexities of AI in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. They delve into the evolving FDA landscape, the critical balance between innovation and safety in drug approvals, and the innovative strategies needed for efficient clinical trials. The group highlights the importance of aligning AI technologies with societal values and overcoming bias in AI systems.

Alta Charo, emerita professor of law and bioethics, shares her expertise in biotechnology policy, focusing on the regulatory landscape of genome editing. She discusses the importance of differentiating hazards from risks in biotechnological advances. Daniel Kluttz from Microsoft dives into how lessons from genome editing can shape AI governance. The conversation emphasizes the need for ethical frameworks and international coordination in both fields, ensuring a responsible balance between innovation and oversight.

Amanda Craig Deckard, Senior Director of Public Policy at Microsoft, leads a team committed to responsible AI development. In this discussion, she shares insights on AI testing and evaluation as essential governance tools. The conversation covers the intricacies of AI governance, drawing lessons from cybersecurity and finance. Amanda highlights the need for collaborative frameworks among industry, academia, and government, emphasizing trust and scientific standards in navigating AI’s complex risks.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chair of the Gates Foundation, collaborates with Sébastien Bubeck, a research lead at OpenAI and former Microsoft scientist, to explore AI's revolutionary impact on healthcare. They discuss how generative AI can empower patients through enhanced medical intelligence. The conversation highlights AI's potential to alleviate administrative burdens, improve diagnostic accuracy, and reshape medical practices while underscoring the necessity of human oversight in mental health and beyond.

Ethan Mollick, an associate professor at the Warden School, and Azeem Azhar, a pioneering tech author and speaker, dive into AI's profound impact on healthcare. They discuss the urgent shortage of primary care physicians exacerbated by burnout and explore how generative AI can revolutionize the healthcare workforce. The duo emphasizes the need for innovative education and regulatory frameworks as AI transforms medical decision-making. They also highlight the potential of wearable tech for proactive health monitoring, reshaping patient-clinician dynamics.