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During VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center’s recent installment of the Director’s Distinguished Visiting Scholars Seminar Series (DDVSSS), Gregory Abel, M.D., MPH, spoke on the importance of exercising caution around the integration of artificial intelligence into cancer research and patient care.

Abel, an outcomes researcher and hematologic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, visited Richmond to share his expertise at DDVSSS, organized by Massey and the VCU School of Medicine, and hosted at The Valentine. In addition to his work as a care delivery researcher and bioethicist, Abel’s clinical interests include leukemia and other conditions affecting the bone marrow.

His presentation, focused on the ethics of AI in cancer research and practice, was insightful for members of the general public and medical experts alike.

Topics included AI and hematology/oncology and the ethics of AI and healthcare, where Abel described a “human crisis in cancer” and emphasized that while AI may increase access to care, it also has the potential to increase disparities.

He detailed several factors to consider when it comes to the ethics of AI and healthcare, from existing issues such as data ownership, privacy and patient safety, as well as new concerns like the environmental impact of AI and data centers, which could disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

Abel also touched on the ethical use of AI in hematology/oncology, and how process-focused ethical frameworks are useful structures for decision-making.

“When we look at AI and its impact, we need to actually collect the data,” Abel said. “There’s biases in collecting data, but you have to start somewhere.”

Another subject he highlighted is artificial empathy and preserving human dignity. While the use of AI can produce benefits like decreasing social isolation and improving patient-doctor relationships, it also has the potential to further inequities, alienate patients and reduce the intrinsic value of empathy.

Similarly, patient-facing AI (PFAI) comes with its own pros and cons. While services such as telehealth, remote monitoring and virtual health coaching have brought about positive changes in some ways, PFAI carries a risk for violating the duty of nonmaleficence due to the lack of regulatory oversight and risk for error.

While artificial intelligence appears to be here to stay, Abel stressed that it must be used with an abundance of care to minimize potential problems.

“Some things are old; some are new, but they’re magnified (with AI),” Abel said.

Abel’s presentation was particularly insightful for Massey researcher Kevin Matthew Byrd, DDS, Ph.D., whose research largely involves the use of AI.

“Dr. Abel’s discussion was especially timely because he reminded us that accuracy and innovation alone are not enough in cancer research and care,“ said Byrd, a member of the Cancer Biology research program at Massey and assistant professor of oral and craniofacial molecular biology at the VCU School of Dentistry. “We must also address patient consent, bias, transparency, accountability, dignity, and the responsibilities that should remain human.These conversations are critical if AI is to make cancer care not only more effective, but also more equitable and humane for all.”

Visit our Flickr to view photos from the event. 

Written by: Tatiana Del Valle