Episode: Robots in Scrubs – Transforming Surgery with AI
Alex Winters: Welcome back to “Bots & Bytes,” where AI meets the everyday! I’m your host, Alex, and today, we have a very special guest—Sina Bari MD, a Stanford-trained surgeon and now Senior Director of Medical AI at iMerit Technology. Sina, great to have you!
Sina Bari MD: Pleasure to be here, Alex! Big fan of the show.
Alex: Aw, thanks! Let’s dive right in. There’s so much happening with AI and surgical robotics lately—especially with NVIDIA’s new robot, Blue, and their partnership with GE HealthCare. What’s your take on these developments?
Sina Bari MD: Honestly, it’s an incredibly exciting time. NVIDIA and GE teaming up is a big deal—this partnership is bringing AI directly into physical patient care spaces. They’re developing autonomous imaging systems that help with X-rays and ultrasounds, potentially freeing healthcare workers from repetitive tasks and letting them focus on the human side of medicine. When you think about the implications of surgery, the limitations of humans jump out.
Alex: Which limitations do you mean?
Sina Bari MD: Dexterity and precision for one, though well-trained surgeons’ hands can do amazing things. But with imaging specifically, you have to realize humans are limited to seeing in only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Add in autonomous imaging, and now procedures can be done using modalities like sound or X-ray to see.
Alex: Will these robots learn from surgeons on human patients?
Sina Bari MD: Well, the cool thing is they’re using NVIDIA’s Isaac for Healthcare platform. It basically lets them train and test these robots in virtual environments first, making the transition smoother and safer.
Alex: Speaking of robots, I saw NVIDIA’s Blue robot debuted at GTC—looked pretty futuristic! Are we close to having something like Blue assisting in surgeries?
Sina Bari MD: Blue is fascinating! NVIDIA showed how seamlessly Blue could interact with humans, responding to gestures, voice, and even emotions. While Blue itself isn’t ready to scrub in for surgery yet, the underlying tech—like advanced visual perception and real-time responsiveness—is precisely what surgical robotics needs. We’re talking about AI that could intelligently assist surgeons, adjusting tools or monitoring vital signs without constant direct oversight.
Alex: It feels like we’re stepping into a sci-fi movie—but hopefully less drama!
Sina Bari MD: Much less drama, ideally! [laughs] But you nailed it—the future of surgical robotics isn’t about replacing surgeons. It’s about empowering them, ensuring precision, reducing fatigue, and keeping surgeries safer.
Alex: Now, I imagine as these robots get smarter, the regulations and oversight will need to evolve too, right?
Sina Bari MD: Absolutely. Strong governance is critical. We’re seeing regulatory bodies like the FDA being quite proactive. For instance, GE has already obtained 85 FDA clearances for its AI devices in recent years. The regulators are supportive but very clear: AI has to be thoroughly validated and transparent. There’s also a big push for keeping humans “in the loop.”
Alex: What does that mean practically, “human in the loop”?
Sina Bari MD: Essentially, it means surgeons and clinicians maintain ultimate control. Robots and AI systems can suggest, guide, or even autonomously handle routine parts of procedures, but humans always have the authority to intervene or override decisions. Think of it as AI augmenting human decision-making, not replacing it.
Alex: So, partnership rather than competition?
Sina Bari MD: Exactly. It’s a symbiotic relationship—humans leverage AI for precision and efficiency, and AI leverages human expertise for judgment and oversight. Everyone wins, especially the patients.
Alex: That’s reassuring to hear, especially from someone deeply involved in both worlds—medicine and AI. Before we wrap up, Sina, any last insights or advice for those watching this space?
Sina Bari MD: Keep an eye on governance and ethical frameworks—they’re the backbone of successful medical AI. And remember, the most effective surgical robot will always be one that works harmoniously with its human partner.
Alex: Brilliantly said! Sina, thank you so much for sharing your insights and enthusiasm with us today.
Sina Bari MD: My pleasure, Alex. Let’s do it again soon!
Alex: Absolutely! And thank you all for tuning into “Bots & Bytes”—catch you next time!