What would gastroenterology look like if we redesigned it around what is possible today?
Earlier this month, I gave the Claire Benenson Lecture at Weill Cornell Medicine’s GI Grand Rounds, exploring what it would take to shift from GI 1.0 to GI 2.0. It’s also the focus of my upcoming book with Dr. Charles Accurso.
Can exponential technologies available today help us build intelligent pathways that stay connected to patients between visits and reduce gaps in care? Can they take on bureaucratic tasks and give doctors more time to do doctor work?
Thank you to Weill Cornell Medicine for making the recording available to share.
Top key insights
1. GI 2.0: Continuous, Connected, Patient-Centered Care
Gastroenterology must shift from a linear, procedure-centered, episodic model to an exponential, intelligent model that stays connected to patients before and after their visits.
2. AI’s Canvas Is Much Vaster Than Endoscopy
Robotics, sensors, microbiome testing, virtual GI care, and non-invasive diagnostics are expanding what is possible. The future described in the conversation is already here.
3. Agentic AI Can Take Away Repetitive, Manual Work
AI agents are reading referral faxes, calling patients, scheduling appointments, and coordinating follow-up—with escalation to humans when patients need their support.
4. Redesign Disease Pathways Around Available Innovations
The question is how to redesign care—not simply fit innovation into existing workflows. Fatty liver and colorectal cancer screening illustrate how continuous support can address gaps in care.
5. Set the Data Free Without Replacing Existing Systems
AI can overlay existing systems and connect voice, text, and fax data. Moving that data enables connections across otherwise fragmented clinical and administrative workflows.
6. Free Physicians to Lead the Shift
Bureaucratic tasks and paperwork fuel burnout and leave clinicians little time to lead. Building GI 2.0 requires addressing that burden and developing the competencies needed for the future.
Watch the video.