by Meg Barbor, MPH
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s already reshaping a number of major industries, including healthcare. According to Hoifung Poon, PhD, general manager at Microsoft Health Futures, AI represents a powerful tool to help close long-standing gaps in cancer care. In his presentation at the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2025 in Seattle, Dr Poon shared how emerging technologies could transform access, equity, and outcomes.
The Big Vision: Better Care for All
Dr Poon highlighted technology’s track record as a force for democratization and posed an ambitious question: “Can we empower everyone to have better healthcare—not just matching today’s best, but improving upon it?” he asked. Even the most privileged patients don’t always receive precise care, so why not aim higher? With AI and quality data, Dr Poon argued, it’s possible to create a real-time learning system that guides decisions and improves outcomes for all patients.
Building Virtual Patients and Unlocking Insights
A central theme of Dr Poon’s talk was the concept of a “virtual patient”—a digital twin that brings together radiology, pathology, genomics, and other data to predict disease progression and treatment response. “AI isn’t magic,” he reminded the audience. “It’s only as good as the data we give it.”
Thanks to digitization, health data are increasingly available, and AI can help transform this information into actionable real-world evidence. Dr Poon described this as “industrializing insight generation” to accelerate medical discovery and improve care.
From Trial Matching to Tumor Boards
He shared the story of Martin, an AI researcher diagnosed with late-stage melanoma who found a lifesaving trial thanks to his resources. According to Dr Poon, AI could help ensure that others without such advantages at their disposal have similar opportunities. “Ironically, many trials fail due to slow enrollment while at the same time patients struggle to find options,” he noted. AI could support frontline healthcare staff in clinical trial recruitment by streamlining trial screening while freeing up time for direct patient care.
AI also holds promise for enhancing tumor boards, enabling specialists to collaborate more effectively—even remotely—on complex cases, he added.
Turning Unstructured Data Into Action
Healthcare generates massive amounts of unstructured data, from clinical notes to pathology reports. Traditionally, abstracting this information has been time-consuming and costly. But generative AI is changing that. “We’re seeing a major transformation,” said Dr Poon, as AI helps process these data faster and at lower cost.
He likened AI’s integration of CT scans, genomic profiles, and pathology slides to teaching speakers of different languages to speak a common one, thereby unlocking new insights into cancer biology and care.
Challenges, Promise, and the Path Forward
Dr Poon acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. Citing Amara’s Law, he reminded attendees that technology’s impact is often overestimated in the short term and underestimated in the long term. Still, with each advance, AI brings new opportunities to improve equity in cancer care.
Emerging tools like digital pathology models and virtual control arms for trials could reduce costs, speed research, and expand access. Collaborations, such as Dr Poon’s work with Providence Health Systems, are already making these ideas a reality.
For nurses, navigators, and other frontline clinicians, these technologies could help reduce administrative burdens and ensure that cancer care reaches all patients, he stated, not just those with the most resources.
Source
Poon H. Emerging Technology to Support Cancer Health Equity. Presented at: 2025 Summit on Cancer Health Disparities. April 25-27, 2025; Seattle, WA.