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Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, addressed the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, spotlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer research, diagnosis, and patient care.
Porat, herself a cancer survivor, emphasized that AI is emerging as a “general purpose technology”—akin to the steam engine, electricity, and the internet—that could reshape industries and societies worldwide. She noted that economists predict AI could drive a $20 trillion uplift in global GDP by 2030, with healthcare poised to be one of the most significantly impacted sectors.
AI in Cancer Research and Clinical Practice
Porat outlined several ways in which Google’s AI initiatives are already making a difference:
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Accelerating Scientific Breakthroughs: AI tools are helping researchers sift through vast amounts of medical data, accelerating the pace of discovery in oncology.
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Supporting Clinical Delivery: Google’s collaboration with ASCO has produced an AI-powered guidelines assistant for clinicians. This tool helps doctors quickly navigate complex, lengthy clinical guidelines, reducing cognitive load and allowing them to focus more on patient care.
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Reducing Administrative Burden: Generative AI is being used to automate documentation, summarize test results, and handle scheduling, freeing up valuable time for doctors and nurses. Early results show doctors are seeing a 30% improvement in efficiency for patient documentation, while nurses are freeing up 40% of their time for discharge reports.
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Multimodal AI Applications: Beyond text, AI is now capable of interpreting audio, medical images, and even genomic data, supporting more precise and efficient clinical decisions.
Porat highlighted that while AI is not a cure for cancer, it is a powerful tool for amplifying the capabilities of clinicians and democratizing access to high-quality care. She quoted ASCO CEO Dr. Clifford Hudis, who described AI as “a critical part of democratizing healthcare—so that everyone, everywhere can have access to the best insights”.
A Personal Perspective
Porat shared her own journey as a cancer survivor, underscoring the importance of making cancer “manageable” for more patients. She credited advances in care and the dedication of medical professionals for her positive outcome, but acknowledged that many patients still lack access to such care. She expressed hope that AI could help close these gaps, moving the field closer to the ultimate goal of making cancer preventable and curable for all.
Looking Ahead
Porat concluded by reaffirming Google’s commitment to supporting the oncology community through technology, emphasizing that knowledge alone is not enough—it must be applied in partnership with clinicians to truly make a difference in patients’ lives.
“AI will not cure cancer on its own, but it can amplify what clinicians do best: discover, care, and heal.” — Ruth Porat
Disclaimer:
This article is based on remarks delivered by Ruth Porat at the ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting and related public statements. The information reflects ongoing research and development in AI and healthcare and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a guarantee of specific outcomes. AI tools in medicine are subject to regulatory review and ongoing clinical validation. Readers should consult healthcare professionals for medical guidance and stay informed about the latest developments from authoritative sources.
