OncoDaily hosted OncoDaily Grand Rounds: AI in Oncology Edition during ASCO 2026 in Chicago, bringing together leaders from oncology, technology, clinical practice, drug development, and health policy for a focused discussion on the growing role of artificial intelligence in cancer care.
The event took place on May 30, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, with ZS serving as the exclusive partner. Designed as an evening of scientific exchange and professional networking, the program centered on one of the most important questions facing modern oncology: how artificial intelligence can be responsibly integrated into research, clinical decision-making, care delivery, and the future of oncology practice.
Few themes that stood out:
- AI-enabled clinical decision support systems already are helping clinicians and nurses make more informed treatment decisions, reduce administrative burdens, and improve patient management, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care
- Leading organizations are embedding AI into drug development and clinical operations decision-making with ambitious efficiency goals to improve candidate selection, target validation, and manufacturing processes
- AI digital transformation has the potential to bring clinical trials and advanced care to rural and underserved communities; oncologists canfacilitate safe and effective AI adoption, acting as responsible stewards to identify and mitigate bias in real-world applications, encourage patient trust in the system, and guide their organizations through this change management journey to improve outcomes for patients
A Timely Conversation at the Center of Oncology Innovation
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept in cancer care. From precision medicine and diagnostics to clinical workflows, patient engagement, drug development, and real-world data interpretation, AI is increasingly becoming part of the oncology conversation.
Against this backdrop, OncoDaily Grand Rounds: AI in Oncology Edition created a dedicated space for experts to discuss both the promise and the responsibility that come with these technologies. The session focused on the implications of AI for cancer care, research, and clinical practice, while keeping the patient at the center of the conversation.
Leadership From Oncology, Technology, and Clinical Practice
The evening was chaired by Douglas Flora, MD, LSSBB, a board-certified medical oncologist, cancer survivor, and Executive Medical Director of the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Dr. Flora also serves as Editor-in-Chief of AI in Precision Oncology, author of Rebooting Cancer Care, President-Elect of the Association of Cancer Care Centers, and CEO of TensorBlack.
His work has been closely tied to prevention, early detection, innovation, equity, and the responsible use of emerging technologies in oncology. As chair, Dr. Flora brought both clinical insight and a strong patient-centered perspective to the discussion.
The event was co-hosted by Pavankumar Anné, Principal in the Boston office of ZS and leader of the firm’s Global Oncology and Precision Medicine Practice. With more than 15 years at ZS, Anné has worked across oncology commercialization strategy, organizational design, diagnostics, portfolio strategy, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis.
A Faculty Reflecting the Breadth of Modern Oncology
The speaker faculty reflected the wide range of perspectives now shaping the AI in oncology field.
Cristian Massacesi, MD, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, and Head of Development at Bristol Myers Squibb, joined the program with more than two decades of experience in oncology drug development. His career has included senior leadership roles at AstraZeneca, Alexion, Pfizer, and Novartis, with experience overseeing global clinical development programs across oncology, hematology, neuroscience, immunology, and cardiovascular disease.
Debra Patt, MD, a practicing oncologist and breast cancer specialist in Austin, Texas, also contributed to the discussion. Dr. Patt serves as Executive Vice President of Texas Oncology, Medical Director for Public Policy for The US Oncology Network, President of the Community Oncology Alliance, member of the ASCO Board of Directors, and Chair of ASCO’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force. Her work bridges clinical oncology, policy, access to care, and digital health.
Sanjay Juneja, MD, Vice President of AI and Medical Informatics at Tempus AI, brought a perspective shaped by clinical practice, medical communication, and AI strategy. A triple board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist, Dr. Juneja leads clinical AI strategy in oncology and is widely known for his work as “TheOncDoc,” as well as his podcast and public education efforts.
Sunil Verma, MD, Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Oncology Franchise at AstraZeneca, added deep experience across clinical research, academic oncology, and pharmaceutical leadership. Dr. Verma has contributed to more than 50 major clinical trials and authored more than 125 peer-reviewed publications, with a career spanning clinical care, mentorship, and global oncology strategy.
From Panel Discussion to Professional Exchange
The program opened with pre-event networking and coffee, followed by a panel discussion focused on the expanding role of artificial intelligence in oncology. The session continued with a Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the faculty, before concluding with a post-event networking dinner.
This structure reflected the purpose of the Grand Rounds format: not only to present expert viewpoints, but also to create room for dialogue among clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, and professionals working at the intersection of oncology and technology.
ZS as Exclusive Partner
ZS served as the exclusive partner for the AI in Oncology Edition. Founded in 1983, ZS is a management consulting and technology firm with more than 13,000 employees across over 35 offices worldwide. The company works with organizations across data, science, technology, and strategy to support better outcomes across healthcare and other sectors.
Its involvement in the program reflected the increasing importance of cross-sector collaboration as oncology moves toward more data-driven, technology-enabled models of care and research.
Keeping the Patient at the Center of AI in Oncology
While the discussion focused on technology, the central theme remained clear: artificial intelligence in oncology must be developed and applied with clinical responsibility, scientific rigor, and patient benefit in mind.
The OncoDaily Grand Rounds: AI in Oncology Edition offered a timely platform during ASCO 2026 to examine how AI is entering oncology practice, where its greatest opportunities may lie, and why thoughtful leadership is essential as the field moves forward.