Our panel of experts talked about the growing use of artificial intelligence in GI care, particularly during colonoscopies, and what this means for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer and other GI disorders.
What are the newest, most impactful advancements in the GI care space today?
Austin Lee Chiang, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, Medtronic Endoscopy
Austin Lee Chiang: The field of gastroenterology is experiencing a significant transformation driven by innovation. One of the most impactful advancements is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in colonoscopy procedures, specifically technologies like GI Genius. As the first FDA-cleared, AI-assisted colonoscopy device, GI Genius enhances a physician’s ability to detect colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions in real time, which is critical for improving early detection and prevention.
Beyond AI, advances in therapeutic endoscopy and minimally invasive techniques are allowing us to treat more conditions without the need for traditional surgery. Additionally, innovations in diagnostic tools, such as capsule endoscopy and molecular testing, are making it easier to uncover underlying GI disorders early and tailor treatment to individual patient needs. Advances in drug development targeting gut hormones have also brought about medications like GLP-1 agonists, which have led to significant weight loss outcomes that have been widely publicized.
Jonathan Ng, M.B.B.S
Founder and CEO, Iterative Health
Jonathan Ng: AI is transforming the healthcare industry. In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized over 900 AI devices that have demonstrated a positive impact on patient care.
In the colorectal cancer screening space, AI is now helping physicians better identify problem areas during screening colonoscopies before they worsen or progress into cancer.
During a colonoscopy, advanced AI technology like Iterative Health’s SKOUT can serve as an extra set of eyes trained to recognize the most frequently overlooked abnormalities during a traditional colonoscopy- subtle, flat lesions often referred to as “sessile” polyps. In addition to the benefits for patients, AI polyp detection technology has also evolved to play an important role in combating physician burnout, which nearly 50% of providers face today.
A common concern with early versions of AI for polyp detection was that frequent false alerts may make the procedure taxing for physicians, causing them to lose trust in technology and tune it out entirely. Today, AI algorithms like those powering SKOUT have been significantly fine-tuned to maximize the detection of what’s clinically meaningful while minimizing false alerts.
Physicians performing colonoscopies with SKOUT have shared that they not only provide higher-quality exams, but also feel less exhausted after a long day of procedures when they have AI as an extra set of eyes.
J. Casey Chapman, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, GI Alliance
J. Casey Chapman: The field of GI medicine is in a bit of a Renaissance period in many ways. There have been many advancements in just the past few years. Medical therapies for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, which includes both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, have made great strides, being able to document clinical improvement and, most importantly, actual healing of the affected segment(s) of the GI tract. These medications have paved the way for what is now called “treat to target,” with the target being the absence of inflammation, focusing beyond symptom control.
GI Alliance Research sites, placed throughout the country, have been fortunate to be on the forefront of these medical advancements, and being able to offer them to our patients with chronic disease. It’s a very exciting time as we have seen with many new recent treatments, but we will be seeing many more on the short-term horizon. Other impactful advancements include new personalized or bespoke ways to diagnose and monitor certain populations. For example, we now have tests that can help us detect who may be at higher risk for esophageal cancer, allowing those patients to be seen and evaluated sooner.
Another prime example of impactful innovation is the recent collaboration between GI Alliance and Medtronic, which introduces the GI Genius™ system. This AI-powered device aids in detecting colorectal polyps during colonoscopy, significantly improving early detection rates of colorectal cancer. By offering this advanced technology, GI Alliance physicians are enhancing patient care by increasing the likelihood of identifying precancerous polyps early, which leads to timely interventions and better outcomes. Using GI Genius can reduce the risk of missed polyps, giving patients a higher level of confidence in their screenings, ultimately lowering the incidence of colorectal cancer.
How does utilizing AI in GI care impact patient outcomes?
ALC: AI, particularly in the form of computer-aided polyp detection tools like GI Genius, acts as a powerful assistant to GI specialists. It works by highlighting areas of the colon that may contain polyps, ensuring we don’t miss abnormalities during a colonoscopy — a challenge even for experienced physicians.
Studies show that technologies like GI Genius can improve the adenoma detection rate (ADR), which is directly linked to better patient outcomes, including reduced colorectal cancer rates. Importantly, GI Genius has also been shown to reduce the adenoma miss rate (AMR) by up to 50%, providing an even stronger layer of support during screenings. By enabling us to detect and remove more precancerous polyps, AI improves early detection, helps prevent cancer, and ultimately leads to better survival rates for patients.
JN: One in 24 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, and colonoscopy is the gold standard of prevention and early detection. When caught early, colorectal cancer has a 90% survival rate, and AI is an exciting new tool supporting physicians in providing the most advanced screenings for their patients.
A large U.S. clinical trial of more than 1,300 patients, which used Iterative Health’s SKOUT technology, found that even for highly experienced physicians, adding AI technology boosted detection of precancerous lesions without increasing the removal of benign tissue.
JCC: AI-powered tools have shown great promise in detecting GI diseases early, such as colorectal cancer and colon polyps, through enhanced image recognition during colonoscopies. The early detection of polyps is key to preventing colorectal cancer. Machine learning algorithms can analyze endoscopic images with high accuracy, identifying abnormalities that may be missed by the human eye. This has real potential to improve early detection, which is crucial for conditions like colorectal cancer, thereby reducing mortality rates.
By automating certain tasks, such as clinical documentation, AI allows healthcare providers to focus more on the patient interaction and critical clinical decision-making. This improved efficiency can reduce waiting times, lead to better patient satisfaction, improve outcomes, and decrease provider burnout.
How can GI specialists stay connected and share information in order to uplevel the industry as a whole?
ALC: Collaboration within the GI industry is critical to driving progress and improving care for patients. By partnering through professional societies, attending conferences, and participating in research initiatives, GI specialists can share best practices and stay informed about the latest advancements.
Collaboration also extends to working with organizations like the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and FightCRC, who have partnered with us to educate the public about colorectal cancer prevention and innovative tools like GI Genius. These partnerships strengthen our collective ability to innovate and deliver better patient outcomes.
As a practicing GI, I’m also passionate about the power of social media to foster collaboration, educate, and dispel misconceptions about GI care. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn allow us to connect with both peers and patients, share knowledge, and promote preventive measures like colorectal cancer screening. Social media is a critical tool to reach wider audiences, demystify GI health, and build a more informed and empowered community.
JN: A direct line of communication between the users and developers of technology is critical for advancing GI care. Meaningful, frequent collaboration with physicians allows us to better understand clinical needs and to relentlessly innovate GI technology like SKOUT.
Most recently, close consultation with a panel of more than 20 expert GI physicians enabled Iterative Health to boost SKOUT’s ability to detect clinically significant polyps by over 40% at double the speed, in just 6 months. These interactions help ensure innovations in GI technology are grounded in practical, clinical expertise.
JCC: With the rapid advancement in medical technology, it is more important than ever to share information on the latest advancements, research, and clinical practices. Some ways to accomplish this are through GI professional societies like the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). These provide GI physicians a platform to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and, most importantly, learn about new data and treatments.
More inward-facing ways to stay abreast include collaborative research initiatives, allowing physicians to stay engaged with the latest innovations while contributing to advancements in the field. Virtual learning has also become a necessity, enabling the dissemination of knowledge in a more real-time manner by building virtual education universities that allow access to up-to-date information on a large scale.
Last, but certainly not least, is mentorship and training, utilizing experienced GI specialists to mentor younger professionals, answering questions not only about the science but also the business practice of medicine, an area not covered in medical school or post-graduate medical training.
At GI Alliance, we really try to foster this culture of collaboration by not only participating in these societies but also hosting our own educational initiatives, research programs, and mentorship opportunities, which empowers our specialists to remain leaders in the field of gastroenterology while enhancing patient care nationwide.
