Why Matthew Matasar, MD, Is Optimistic About AI in Oncology

The AI Oncology Revolution conversation with Matthew Matasar, MD, closed on a note of optimism. When prompted by Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, MSEd, FACP, for final remarks on the positive side of AI in oncology, Matasar pointed to how far the field has moved in 3 years: from pure skepticism and discomfort toward AI to the nimble, practical incorporation described across this series. While he stopped short of predicting exactly what comes next, Matasar said the trajectory gives him confidence that better tools for diagnosing and treating cancer are ahead. Loaiza-Bonilla closed the series by thanking Matasar for the conversation.

Loaiza-Bonilla is systemwide chief of hematology and oncology at St. Luke’s University Health Network and co-founder of Massive Bio. Matasar is chief of the Division of Blood Disorders at Rutgers Cancer Institute/Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where his clinical and research interests focus on lymphoma.

Transcript:

Loaiza-Bonilla: Do you have any final remarks on the positive end of AI in oncology?

Matasar: I’d just end with my optimism. If you look at where we’re at now vs 3 years ago, when AI was looked at with pure skepticism and discomfort, we’re already finding incredibly nimble ways to incorporate it into our practice. The shape of the curve is clearly incredible—the speed of development of novel approaches and abilities. We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I guarantee it’s going to bring us better approaches and better tools for diagnosing and treating cancer, and I’m here for it.

Loaiza-Bonilla: Well, so excited. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here and talk with you. This is The AI Oncology Revolution, and we’re looking forward to seeing you again in a future episode.

Matasar: Thank you so much, Arturo.