Editor’s Note: Ruth Porat recently spoke at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago. Below is an edited transcription of her remarks.
We live in an extraordinary time for technology where AI and its use across so many areas are the latest – and by far the greatest development. Today I want to share what we see on Google and put some of the AI options in context – especially to support diagnosis, treatment, care and healing of cancer.
Throughout history, there have been a limited number of technologies that change everything. Economists call them “general purpose technologies” – they can affect an entire economy at national or global level. They can change societies through their influence on economic and social structures. General purpose technologies are very rare: they include the steam engine, electricity, the Internet and now AI. Their power is not in the original invention: it is in the uses it enables when to use another word from economists is “diffusion” – it spreads across all industries throughout the economy.
Like the steam engine – which was originally developed to pump water out of mines – it only demonstrated its full transformative power when put into the use of flow ships, trains and factories.
AI is one of these technologies. As a general technology, it has enormous potential across four wide areas: first drives economic growth. Economists estimate that if AI is used across industries, we could collectively have a boost to the global GDP of approx. 20 trillion dollars in 2030.
The remaining three areas are very related to health, and that is what I will spend time covering today: accelerating scientific breakthroughs, supporting better delivery and results and strengthening of cyber security.
Makes cancer “manageable”
I first come to you today as someone who is privileged to work with Google with some of the planet’s most brilliant engineers, scientists and researchers. I am a financial person – they humor me (mostly because they have to). I recently talked to one of my colleagues, a gentleman named VINT CERF. If you use any of the many search engines out there to learn more about him, you will see that Vint is recognized as a father to the Internet.
I asked the father to the Internet about his perspective on the impact of AI compared to the Internet. And he said he thinks that AI has a greater potential than the Internet with his words, “because it can increase human abilities.” It is a partner for you all for each of us.
I also come to you as someone who has had cancer – twice. When I was first diagnosed, my children were very young: 5, 7 and 9 years old. For me, like many of your patients, everything was in order – until it wasn’t. I advocated for my typical annual mammogram and found that I had breast cancer. And then the journey began, resulting in a double mastectomy and chemo.
The first thing I felt was fear – especially fear that I would not see them grow up, see who they would stay, be there for exams and so much more – as well as fear of the treatment process.
Two years later, I was diagnosed with cancer again. That time was still frightening because I thought I had done everything I might have done. And then there was more chemo, more surgery and this time, also radiation.
What I learned through the process: As difficult as my cancer was, to me it was manageable. And I learned that the word “manageable” was my friend.
I know that I am one of the privileged thanks to the extraordinary care I received at Memorial Sloan Cutting from people as my extraordinary oncologist then, and my good friend now, Dr. Cliff Hudis and now Asco’s CEO. I am so grateful for everything – every step on the journey he took with me. And of course luck. By chance, Memorial Sloan Ketting was founded as New York Cancer Hospital on this date, May 31, in 1884.
Cancer is not yet manageable for all patients, and certainly not yet for all cancers. Even when AI helps to make cancer “manageable” a reality for more people – who in themselves are in itself great progress – the final goal is obviously to look beyond manageable to prevent and harden.
Today I will take you through the opportunities for opportunities where I hope that AI can help achieve just that, and move us all closer to the goal that is best caught in ASCO’s big mission statement: “Conquers cancer through research, education and promotion of patient care of the highest quality. “
I will be the first to say that AI is not a universal agent, but I hope and believe that technology can support the work you are leading. When I look around the room, I am humbled to be with so many dedicated professionals who bring this mission to life every day.