Rounds, Working Group to Host Discussion on AI in Cancer Research

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, October 19, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and the bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) working group will host a panel discussion focused on the use of AI in cancer research. The panel will feature academia and industry experts to discuss how AI is transforming health care, from research and drug development to the delivery of patient care and treatment. In addition to Rounds, the AI working group is comprised of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

“AI is a tool that will lead to incredible advancements in every aspect of our lives,” said Rounds. “One of those aspects is health care. We were already seeing encouraging progress in the development of new treatments when my late wife Jean was courageously battling cancer a few years ago. Now, there is a real opportunity to utilize AI in ways never thought possible that will help save lives. I look forward to hearing from top experts as we discuss the life-changing possibilities of AI in cancer research.”

Featured speakers include:

• Ned Sharpless, MD, Professor of Cancer Policy and Innovation at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine & former Director of the National Cancer Institute

• Michael Howell, MD, Chief Clinical Officer at Google

• Eliezer Van Allen, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School & Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

• Rick Stevens, Associate Laboratory Director at the Argonne National Laboratory & Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago

• Lauren Silvis, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Tempus & former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

In May 2023, the AI working group was formed to pursue the opportunities and tackle the threats presented by AI. In order to provide additional information to members of the Senate, the working group has hosted a series of briefings. Additionally, the working group hosted a first-of-its-kind discussion in September that featured top tech leaders including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

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