AI on the Hill

Hill Research
  • 5.0 (6)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • BIWEEKLY SERIES

AI on the Hill is a podcast exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clinical research. Designed to inform and inspire, the show brings together thought leaders, innovators, and regulatory voices to discuss frontier developments in AI-driven drug discovery, clinical trials, and health tech innovations. Co-produced by Hill Research and the Tech Impact Foundation. Hill Research drives the advancement of AI in clinical trials, developing Generative AI solutions that optimize trial design, streamline operations, and improve regulatory outcomes, enabling faster delivery of life-changing therapies. Tech Impact Foundation advances the application of AI, biotechnology, and educational technology to improve human lives, promote knowledge sharing, and foster social equity through STEM education, public engagement, and investment in breakthrough research.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery

    Welcome to AI on the Hill, the podcast where we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, featuring thought leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of drug development and health tech. In this series, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, and expert guests like Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca, discuss cutting-edge topics in bioinformatics, AI in healthcare, and personalized medicine. Tommy Tang shares his inspiring journey from a nervous first-time immigrant landing in the U.S. with only $2,000 to becoming a bioinformatics leader. In this show, we dive into Tommy's transition from traditional wet-lab research to computational biology, and how he taught himself data science skills in R, Python, and Unix to drive his career. Tommy, also an advocate for open science, discusses the importance of sharing knowledge to advance scientific progress and make complex research more accessible. Join us as we explore how AI and bioinformatics are transforming cancer drug discovery, and learn about the practical impact of computational biology in shortening drug development timelines. Tommy’s insights into time management, leadership, and open science are a must-listen for anyone interested in the rapidly evolving world of biotech. You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    1 hr

  2. EPISODE 2

    From Wall Street Beats to Biotech Breakthroughs – Dean’s journey from DJ booths and banking to leading AI-driven clinical trial innovations

    Welcome to AI on the Hill, the podcast where we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, featuring thought leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of drug development and health tech. In this series, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, and expert guests like Dean Zheng, Clinical Outsourcing Professional at Pfizer, discuss how AI is streamlining clinical trial operations, improving data quality, and accelerating the delivery of life-saving treatments. Dean Zheng shares his unique career journey from DJ booths and investment banking to clinical trial outsourcing in pharma. In this show, we dive into Dean’s transitions between industries, the lessons learned from working on both the CRO and sponsor sides, and how his diverse background fuels his approach to efficiency, collaboration, and problem-solving. Dean explains how AI can cut trial programming timelines by up to 70%, reduce human error, and free up teams to focus on strategic decision-making. Join us as we explore the real-world impact of AI on trial operations, from improving data workflows to creating hybrid collaboration models between pharma and tech. Dean’s insights into adaptability, strategic thinking, and embracing new tools make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of clinical trials. You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Dean Zheng, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-mingyang-zheng-0ab336108/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    41 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Can AI Be a Scientist - From Pipettes to Prompts: Reprogramming Science with AI

    In this episode of AI on the Hill, host René Bastón sits down with Yaoyu Yang, Founder & CEO of Cypher AI, to explore one of the most fascinating questions of our time: Can AI truly be a scientist? With over a decade at the intersection of biology and software, Yaoyu has built systems that redefine how experiments are designed and executed, from developing Aquarium at the University of Washington to architecting platforms at Ginkgo Bioworks, and now leading Cypher AI, where he’s building the world’s first AI software engineer for scientists. Together, they discuss how human-in-the-loop AI is empowering, not replacing, researchers, what it means to turn pipettes into prompts, and how the future of discovery will depend on collaboration between human creativity and machine intelligence. This episode dives deep into the evolving relationship between humans, AI, and science, and what it means to rethink intelligence itself.

    1h 4m

  4. EPISODE 4 · VIDEO

    FDA Perspectives on AI in Biometrics: Key Pitfalls, Bias Risks, and What Sponsors Must Get Right

    AI is rapidly entering biometrics workflows — but what actually holds up under FDA review, and where do teams most often go wrong? Speakers & Moderator Hanrui Zhang — DHT Review Lead, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Yali Li — Vice President, Biostatistics & Data Management, bioMérieux Ran He — Founder, THC Lawyers Louise Liu — CEO, Hill Research (Moderator) In this episode of AI on the Hill, we bring together perspectives from the U.S. FDA, global biostatistics leadership, and legal experts to unpack how AI is being evaluated in regulated clinical development today, beyond hype, demos, or exploratory use cases. The conversation dives into the real pitfalls sponsors face when applying AI to biometrics, including bias risks, validation gaps, governance challenges, and the blurred line between decision support and submission-grade evidence. Panelists discuss why AI is not yet ready to serve as a clinical endpoint, how AI-generated analyses may (or may not) complement pivotal trials, and what FDA reviewers actually look for when AI influences statistical analysis or decision-making. Key topics include: -What differentiates exploratory AI from regulatory-acceptable evidence -Common biometrics and subgroup bias pitfalls that raise red flags during FDA review -The role of human-in-the-loop, documentation, and auditability in AI-enabled workflows - When AI adds credibility, and when it increases regulatory and legal risk - How teams should prepare for AI accountability as adoption accelerates This episode is essential listening for professionals in biostatistics, biometrics, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and AI-enabled analytics who want a clear, regulator-aware view of where AI truly fits, and where caution is still required. Recorded live | Public Zoom Webinar Subscribe to AI on the Hill for expert conversations at the intersection of AI, biometrics, and clinical development.

    1 hr

  5. EPISODE 5

    Building Trust in Medical AI: Inside Med-ICE

    In this episode of AI on the Hill in the Spotlight, we take a closer look at Med-ICE — a system built to make medical AI more trustworthy and reliable. We explore how multi-agent collaboration can improve reasoning, why reliability is critical in healthcare, and what responsible AI design looks like in practice. This episode highlights both the technical innovation and the broader lessons for the future of AI in medicine.

    20 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

AI on the Hill is a podcast exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clinical research. Designed to inform and inspire, the show brings together thought leaders, innovators, and regulatory voices to discuss frontier developments in AI-driven drug discovery, clinical trials, and health tech innovations. Co-produced by Hill Research and the Tech Impact Foundation. Hill Research drives the advancement of AI in clinical trials, developing Generative AI solutions that optimize trial design, streamline operations, and improve regulatory outcomes, enabling faster delivery of life-changing therapies. Tech Impact Foundation advances the application of AI, biotechnology, and educational technology to improve human lives, promote knowledge sharing, and foster social equity through STEM education, public engagement, and investment in breakthrough research.

Information

  • Creator
    Hill Research
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    AI on the Hill