TLDR: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently convened a Policy Summit on September 9, 2025, to delve into the current and future landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer care. Experts, including clinicians, patients, and policymakers, discussed AI’s emerging successes in early detection, personalized treatment, and reducing clinical burdens, while also emphasizing the critical need for thoughtful regulation, ethical guardrails, and equitable implementation to ensure patient safety and trust.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 9, 2025, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of leading cancer centers, hosted a pivotal Policy Summit to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer care. The summit brought together a diverse group of subject matter experts, including patients, advocates, clinicians, and policymakers, to discuss AI’s current standing and future trajectory in improving oncology, alongside critical concerns regarding safety and fairness.
Dr. Travis Osterman, Director of Cancer Clinical Informatics at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and a member of the NCCN Digital Oncology Forum, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the significant moment in medical technology. “Because of AI, we are at an inflection point in how technology supports the delivery of care to our patients with cancer,” Osterman stated. “Thoughtful regulation can help us integrate these tools into everyday practice in ways that improve care delivery and support oncology practices. The decisions we make now will determine how AI innovations serve our patients and impact clinicians for years to come.”
A prevailing sentiment among many speakers was one of cautious optimism, grounded in a pragmatic view of AI’s current capabilities. William Walders, Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Information Officer at The Joint Commission, underscored this, noting, “AI isn’t the future of cancer care… it’s already here, helping detect disease earlier, guide personalized treatment, and reduce clinical burdens.” He further stressed the necessity of “thoughtful guardrails that not only build trust but actively safeguard patient safety and uphold the highest standards of care” to fully realize AI’s promise in oncology.
Dr. Danielle Bitterman, Clinical Lead for Data Science/AI at Mass General Brigham, emphasized AI’s role in expanding access to clinical trials and streamlining complex research processes. “AI has enormous potential to optimize cancer outcomes by making clinical trials accessible to patients regardless of their location and by simplifying complex trial processes for patients and research teams alike,” Dr. Bitterman commented. She expressed anticipation for “new approaches for safe evaluation and implementation so that we can effectively and responsibly use AI to gain maximum insight from every piece of patient data and drive progress.” Dr. Bitterman also highlighted that stronger collaborations between oncologists and computer scientists would be crucial for catalyzing advances as AI integrates into clinical practice.
Conversely, Dr. Regina Barzilay, School of Engineering Distinguished Professor for AI and Health at MIT, voiced concerns about the pace of adoption. “AI-driven diagnostics and treatment has potential to transform cancer outcomes. Unfortunately, today, these tools are not utilized enough in patient care. Guidelines could play a critical role in changing this status quo,” she remarked.
The summit’s discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the practicalities of AI implementation and integration across various platforms, the need for robust oversight (both internal and governmental), strategies to prevent the perpetuation of biases, and initiatives to increase access to AI-based software. Panelists frequently noted the rapid evolution of AI models, drawing parallels to previous major technological shifts in healthcare, such as the transition to electronic medical records.
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Looking ahead, the NCCN announced a Patient Advocacy Summit scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025, which will focus on addressing the unique cancer care needs of veterans and first responders.
