This wasn’t just a talk. It was a line in the sand.
What if we’re solving the wrong problem in GI?
What if the real question isn’t how efficiently we scope…
…but whether we should be doing them at all—at the scale we do today?
At the AGA Tech Summit in Chicago, I posed a challenge: The future isn’t coming. It’s already here. And what happens in 2035 depends entirely on the actions we take—or avoid—today. GI is at a BIG inflection point. Most won’t realize until it’s already passed them by. There’s no rewinding this.
This keynote is about more than technology. It’s about a mindset shift—the kind that redefines what we build, how we lead, and whether we stay relevant.
A special thank you to American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) for making this recording available to everyone.
Watch the full keynote here.
Top Takeaways — Directly from the AGA Tech Keynote
1. Exponential change is coming to GI
“Cologuard went from 100,000 tests a year… to 100,000 in 11 days. That’s exponential. And this kind of shift will come to every part of GI.”
2. The Great Recession moment for GI is now
“2008 gave rise to Airbnb, Uber, WhatsApp, Instagram. These were born during crisis. COVID was healthcare’s moment like that. The next leaders of GI are being created right now.”
3. Once digitization starts, there’s no turning back
“Once something becomes digital, Moore’s Law takes over—or worse. The field starts doubling, and doubling, and doubling…You can’t rewind it.”
4. We are at a BIG inflection point
“Most people will miss it until it’s too late. The shift will have already happened by the time they notice. And the worst part? They’ll keep playing by old rules in a new game.”
5. The valley of death is real
“We may go through a phase of denial, resistance, overwhelm, insecurity, job disruption. This is what I call the valley of death. It’s not permanent, but it’s where a lot of institutions get stuck.”
6. Trends shaping GI’s future are already visible
“From home-based testing to digital therapeutics, from AI interpretation to robotic procedures, all the signs are already here. The future isn’t 2035. It’s now.”
7. Five big challenges = Five bold opportunities
“I outlined five structural challenges:
- Colonoscopy addiction
- Data-rich, intelligence-poor systems
- Burnout leading to an innovation drought
- Losing ground on microbiome and gut health
- Passive AI adoption
But each one of those is an opportunity—if we act boldly.”