In this episode of Research Conversations, our host Iris Xu, a PhD researcher in Maastricht's Law and Tech Lab, interviews three guests involved in the CLASSICA project, which aims to validate AI in classifying cancer in real-time surgery. Our guests are Prof. Ronan Cahill, who is the Coordinator of CLASSICA and the Director of the Centre for Precision Surgery, UCD and the Digital Surgery Unit, MMUH, Prof. Sara Gerke, an Assistant Professor of Law at Penn State Dickinson Law and Head of the Penn State Dickinson Law Study, and Prof. Mindy Nunez Duffourc, an Assistant Professor of Private Law, a member of the Maastricht Law and Tech Lab and Member of Penn State’s CLASSICA legal research team. They discuss the importance of the project in helping surgeons make better decisions during operations, particularly in cases where it is difficult to determine if a polyp is cancerous or benign. The CLASSICA tool uses AI technology to analyze tissue perfusion patterns and provide accurate information to surgeons. The guests also touch on the legal and ethical challenges of implementing AI in healthcare, including issues of regulation and liability. The project is currently in the clinical trial phase, with patients being recruited in major cancer centers in Europe. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes and integrate the technology into surgical practice. We encourage our listeners to follow the project on the CLASSICA website and social media channels, which are provided below!

Referenced Publications (all open access):

• The proposed EU Directives for AI liability leave worrying gaps likely to impact medical AI | npj Digital Medicine (nature.com)
• Ethical perspectives on surgical video recording for patients, surgeons and society: systematic review | BJS Open | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
• CLASSICA: Validating artificial intelligence in classifying cancer in real time during surgery - Moynihan - Colorectal Disease - Wiley Online Library

The CLASSICA Project Information

• Project Description: Validating AI in classifying cancer in real-time surgery
• Website: https://classicaproject.eu

Funding Statement: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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Music intro: Phuket by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz