On this episode of Holy Shift!, host Angela Gill Nelms talks with Dr. Anant Madabhushi, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory and director of the Empathetic AI for Health Institute. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping cancer diagnosis, identifying disease years before symptoms appear, and pushing personalized medicine from possibility to practice.

Dr. Madabhushi explains how his team turns routine clinical data such as everyday eye images, pathology slides, and standard biopsies into powerful predictors that reveal hidden risk, tailor treatment decisions, and avoid unnecessary or harmful therapies. He also reflects on his journey from India to the United States, his passion for frugal and opportunistic science, the importance of diverse medical datasets, and how federal investments accelerate breakthroughs that land in clinics, communities, and countries around the world.

Whether you care about the future of cancer care, global health equity, biomedical innovation, or the real-world impact of AI, this conversation offers clear insight into how science and compassion can work together to save lives.