Ha Hong Of Medtronic Endoscopy On the Future of Artificial Intelligence

As a part of our series about the future of Artificial Intelligence, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ha Hong.

Ha Hong, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Medtronic Endoscopy, is an industry leader in artificial intelligence with a track record of inventing and delivering breakthrough technologies.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the ‘backstory” of how you decided to pursue this career path in AI?

My journey into the world of AI, particularly in the medical device sector, is a tale of serendipity, curiosity, and seizing opportunities at the right time.

My academic background was initially rooted in physics during my undergraduate studies. While physics wasn’t my burning passion, I deeply appreciated how it provided a framework for understanding the world. This framework became a foundation for my approach to problem-solving and exploring new opportunities.

The real turning point came during my PhD research at MIT. It was a fascinating period, coinciding with the modern rise of artificial intelligence. We were all witnessing the burgeoning potential and possibilities that AI presented. It was an exhilarating time, and I found myself increasingly drawn to this growing field.

Initially, my interest was in understanding how the brain works, which naturally led me to neuroscience. Then I found myself drawn to the idea of emulating brain functions. This curiosity gradually steered me toward artificial intelligence. It wasn’t a planned path; rather, it was the serendipitous alignment of my interests with the rising tide of AI innovation. The entrepreneurial spirit of a good friend then propelled the next steps — this friend was in the process of creating a new company focused on developing AI-powered medical devices. When I learned about this, I saw it as boarding a rocket ship headed towards uncharted but exciting territory. I decided to take the leap and help shape the formation of the company’s core idea. That marked the beginning of my journey at the intersection of AI and medical technology.

What lessons can others learn from your story?

Embrace new experiences — life is full of opportunities, but they often lie outside our comfort zones. My journey into AI and medical devices was unfamiliar and certainly not something I could have foreseen at the start of my education or career. But the willingness to try new things and embrace the discomfort that comes with it is crucial. You might be surprised at what you can achieve when you step into the unknown and enjoy the process of exploring new things that interest you or present as a unique opportunity.

Be open to continuous improvement — there’s immense value in being open and challenging yourself, even in small ways, every day. It doesn’t always have to be a giant leap. Sometimes, it’s the consistent, small steps that make an impact. Over time, if you look back, you’ll be amazed at how these improvements can accumulate and lead to substantial growth. Reflecting on my journey, it’s evident that such adjustments led to truly significant transformations over time. Whether it’s learning a new concept, exploring a new field, or making a minor improvement in your work, these actions contribute to a larger transformation. Five to ten years down the line, you’ll likely be surprised at the impact of these seemingly small decisions.

Along that line, focus on what you can learn along your journey. Success is not always about achievements or the end goals; it’s about the journey. It’s about interactions and collaborations with friends and colleagues. It’s about being open to learning new things and not just focusing on checking off achievements. This mindset shifts the focus from the destination to the journey itself, making the entire process more enriching and fulfilling.

Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?

One of the most interesting projects I’m currently involved with is an initiative by Medtronic to introduce a new platform: a strategic collaboration between Medtronic, Cosmo Intelligent Medical Devices, and NVIDIA.

The centerpiece of this project is the GI Genius™ intelligent endoscopy module. GI Genius is the first artificial intelligence system that is FDA cleared for use in colonoscopies — and, by serving as a second set of eyes for the gastroenterologist, research shows it can reduce the number of undetected polyps (which can lead to colorectal cancer) by half. Now that this technology is being adopted by a growing number of physicians, we’re looking to how we can maximize the potential of the GI Genius hardware module and are developing a platform so that other developers can run their AI models off our technology. We’re integrating NVIDIA’s advanced Holoscan and IGX technologies plus Cosmo’s Innovation Center website, data resources, and AI expertise to enable this new platform for third-party developers — enabling them to distribute their own validated AI models through the GI Genius™ module. In this way, they can focus on their core competencies such as AI and S/W development and can outsource the development and validation of computation H/W as well as the distribution coordination to us — it’s an app store for Software as a Medical Device with an emphasis on AI! The potential of GI Genius™ to host multiple real-time AI applications is truly transformative — and exciting to be a part of.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I’ve been fortunate to have guidance and support along the way. Someone I’m particularly grateful for is my Ph.D. advisor, Jim DeCarlo, at MIT. He was instrumental in shaping my journey from an inexperienced researcher into someone capable of independently producing new technology.

When I embarked on my Ph.D. research in neuroscience, it was a significant leap into uncharted territory. Arriving in the U.S. from South Korea, I grappled with cultural differences and communication, and it was a daunting task in such a complex field.

I remember a particular day when Jim approached me with questions. Despite my struggles to translate and communicate effectively, Jim exhibited extraordinary patience. He waited, never rushing me, until I felt comfortable and could fully articulate my thoughts. This experience, and many additional experiences like this, taught me the true impact and importance of patience and trust toward your colleagues, peers, mentees, and mentors.

This lesson has influenced my leadership style today. I strive to replicate Jim’s approach — being patient, always available, understanding, and empathetic. It’s a testament to the powerful impact a mentor can have, and I credit much of my success to the foundation of patience and perseverance he instilled in me.

What are the things that most excite you about the AI industry? Why?

The AI industry is a vibrant and rapidly evolving field, and as someone who is always eager to learn and make a positive impact, there are several aspects that excite me.

First is the endless possibilities of AI. The scope is vast, and its potential applications are virtually limitless. Whether it’s revolutionizing industries, enhancing scientific research, or improving everyday life, the possibilities AI presents are a constant source of inspiration and excitement for me.

Second — with responsible oversight and appropriate caution — is the rapid pace of progress. The speed at which AI is advancing is staggering, and we’re witnessing improvements and breakthroughs at a pace that was unimaginable just a few years ago. This rapid progress not only fuels my curiosity but also keeps the field dynamic and challenging.

The AI community’s openness and collaborative spirit is also truly invigorating. Sharing knowledge, datasets, and tools have become the norm, accelerating progress and fostering a culture of collective growth, learning, and accountability.

Finally, and this is close to home in my current role, is the impact on people’s lives. As someone who has worked on AI-powered medical devices, the potential for AI to transform patient care is particularly close to my heart. AI has the capability to enhance and expedite diagnostics, personalize treatments, and improve patient outcomes, which is a profound and rewarding aspect of this field. AI has the potential to fast-track medical innovations, making it possible to create and improve products in much shorter timeframes without compromising safety or efficacy if done correctly.

What are the things that concern you about the AI industry? Why?

The AI industry, while promising, also presents concerns that need careful consideration. The potential is huge, and it’s so novel that a lot is unknown — which is exciting but can also be concerning. There’s a tendency to over-hype AI capabilities, especially with the advent of large language models. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and can detract from actual progress being made.

There is also a historical failure to meet promises. AI has been criticized for failing to meet its lofty promises, particularly in healthcare. This is often because the vision was too broad; a more narrow and focused approach tends to breed success, especially in complex fields like healthcare. As I mentioned before, small adjustments lead to truly significant transformations. Despite the advancements, we are still several steps away from realizing the full value of AI, especially in areas where it can make a significant impact. It’s crucial to bridge this gap to ensure that AI truly enhances lives and industries.

In healthcare, patient safety and the efficacy of treatments are paramount. As AI becomes more integrated into this sector, it’s crucial that these technologies are rigorously tested and validated. The focus should always be on putting patients first. There’s also an urgent need for stakeholders, including medical device manufacturers, regulators, patient advocacy groups, payers, and AI technologists, to come together and discuss the path forward. This includes deliberating on the use of advanced AI technologies such as generative AI and establishing guidelines to ensure safe and effective use of the technologies.

As you know, there is an ongoing debate between prominent scientists, (personified as a debate between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg,) about whether advanced AI poses an existential danger to humanity. What is your position about this?

From my perspective, I emphasize embracing the unpredictability inherent in AI development, acknowledging that it’s impractical to fully harness or control this progress. Instead of attempting to constrain it, we should focus on channeling it responsibly. I advocate for open and transparent conversations among technologists, users, regulators, and the public. Such dialogues are critical for shaping AI’s trajectory, even though its full impact might unfold over a long period. By working openly and collectively, we can guide AI development to maximize benefits and minimize risks, navigating this complex landscape with a balanced and considered approach.

What can be done to prevent such concerns from materializing? And what can be done to assure the public that there is nothing to be concerned about?

As someone deeply immersed in healthcare technology I can speak to that field. I can confidently say while the integration of AI is rapidly evolving, medical professionals remain at the heart of decision-making. In the future, many medical devices might become software-defined, but they will continue to augment the expertise of healthcare professionals rather than replace it. This AI-empowered approach is poised to enhance healthcare outcomes and reduce physician burnout.

To ensure these benefits are realized safely, it’s important for the medical device, healthcare, and regulatory communities to engage in open and transparent conversations. Such dialogues are key to maintaining effective safety guardrails as we navigate the expansion of innovative AI applications in healthcare. This collective effort can help assure the public that AI is being integrated responsibly, prioritizing patient care and supporting the invaluable human element of care in medicine.

As you know, there are not that many women in your industry. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women into the AI industry?

Engaging more women in the AI industry is so important for fostering diversity and driving innovation. The importance of this diversity is highlighted by early AI failures due to biased data, which could have been prevented with more varied perspectives. To address this, we must focus on increased pathways to education, in development of role models, and in building strong advocates in the industry. There’s a notable gender bias in STEM, with fewer female role models, and I believe highlighting and promoting female figures in AI can inspire more women to pursue careers in this field. However, progress in this area has been slow and needs acceleration. That’s why it’s also essential that those of us men who are in the field not just prop up our female colleagues, but advocate for them, as well.

Another critical factor is the disparity in STEM college admissions. While women are outperforming men in overall college admissions, this trend is less evident in STEM areas. Addressing this gap requires a multi-pronged approach including cultivating a supportive environment that celebrates female accomplishments in AI and technology. These steps are crucial for creating a balanced and diverse AI industry.

What is your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that had relevance to your own life?

I am very inspired by the quote, “the thing that doesn’t fit is the thing that’s the most interesting: the part that doesn’t go according to what you expected” by Richard Feynman, as it resonates deeply with my own experiences and decisions. I believe this sentiment is at the heart of my pursuit of uncharted territories in both science and technology.

This guidance played a pivotal role in my transition from physics to neuroscience. Neuroscience has been recognized as the “new frontier in science,” and I was captivated by the unexplored possibilities it presented. My inclination towards uncharted domains didn’t stop there; I later ventured into the realm of artificial intelligence, which was gaining recognition as a groundbreaking field. Similar to how neuroscience captured my attention, AI represented an exciting and new territory, promising innovation and discovery often in surprising and unexpected ways. In addition, I didn’t ignore the unexpected opportunity (joining the AI medical device startup) that presented itself, even though I originally didn’t even think about startups during PhD. And now, I consider the decision to join one of the best decisions I’ve made so far. This quote, therefore, not only reflects my academic and professional transitions but also embodies my enduring passion for exploring and contributing to the frontiers of knowledge.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

For those interested in keeping up with my latest projects and contributions to the field, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn. I share updates on my current research, collaborations, and insights into the evolving landscape of AI and healthcare technology.

Additionally, for a more academic perspective, you can follow my publications and research contributions on Google Scholar. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of my scientific papers, conference proceedings, and other scholarly works that delve deeper into the technical aspects of my work.

And of course — keep your eyes on Medtronic Endoscopy, as that’s where a lot of my work will come to life. We’re doing exciting work, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.

I welcome your engagement and look forward to sharing my journey in advancing AI innovation in healthcare with you.

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is the Chairman of the Friends of Israel and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.