Episode Summary

In this episode of In The Blink of AI, Georgie Healy sits down with Dr. Kevin Cheng, Chief Customer Officer at Harrison AI, one of Australia’s most successful AI startups. Harrison AI is transforming the medical field by developing AI-powered solutions that assist radiologists and pathologists in diagnosing diseases with greater speed and accuracy.

Dr. Cheng shares the real-world impact of AI in healthcare, including a compelling story of how their AI system detected early-stage lung cancer in a UK patient, potentially saving her life. He also dives into the challenges of building AI in healthcare, the role of regulatory frameworks, and the future of consumer-driven healthcare innovations.

The conversation covers AI’s potential to enhance medical workflows, reduce clinician burnout, and increase accessibility to quality healthcare—especially in underserved regions. Kevin also addresses common concerns about AI replacing human doctors and explains why he believes AI will always be an assistive tool rather than a replacement. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, healthcare, and innovation.

Time Stamps

00:00 AI Detects Early-Stage Lung Cancer: A Life-Saving Moment

00:33 Introduction to Dr. Kevin Cheng & Harrison AI

02:14 How AI is Transforming Radiology and Pathology

03:57 Why Kevin Left Medicine to Join Harrison AI

06:23 The Challenges of Building AI in Healthcare

09:19 Global Regulatory Hurdles and Market Expansion

12:34 How AI Supports, Not Replaces, Doctors

16:40 The Future of AI in Consumer-Driven Healthcare

32:04 Real-World Impact: A Patient’s Life Saved by AI

36:48 The Road Ahead: Scaling AI to Millions of Patients

39:25 Addressing Public Fear and Misinformation About AI

42:27 Can AI Reduce the Cost of Healthcare?

44:30 AI’s Role in Providing Healthcare Access to Underserved Populations

45:25 Will AI Replace Human Doctors? Kevin’s Perspective

46:44 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Resources Mentioned

Harrison AI – Australia’s leading AI-powered medical diagnostics company

Annalise.ai – AI-driven radiology platform that assists with X-rays and scans

Franklin.ai – AI system for pathology, improving the accuracy of tissue diagnosis

BBC Interview with Diane – Story of a UK patient whose early-stage lung cancer was detected by AI

FDA & European Regulatory Frameworks – Key differences in AI validation processes

Telehealth & Consumer Health Trends – The shift towards at-home medical diagnostics

Blackbird Ventures – VC firm backing Harrison AI and other Australian startups

Notable Quotes

"In this particular scenario, AI picked up a subtle finding—stage one lung cancer—allowing for immediate treatment. That’s the difference between life and death." — Dr. Kevin Cheng

"AI isn’t replacing doctors. It’s augmenting their ability to diagnose, reducing errors, and giving them a second pair of eyes." — Dr. Kevin Cheng

"Healthcare is evolving. Patients are demanding more access, better efficiency, and AI is making that possible." — Dr. Kevin Cheng

"We have over a thousand sites live today, processing more than seven million cases a year. Our goal? A million cases a day." — Dr. Kevin Cheng

"AI can be a great leveler in healthcare, especially in regions with clinician shortages. The challenge now is making the business model sustainable." — Dr. Kevin Cheng

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