by InTrieste
At this year’s Trieste Next Festival, a leading voice in the medical community is showcasing the role artificial intelligence (AI) is playing in advancing healthcare. Dr. Emma Paulon, a gastroenterologist at Katina Hospital in Trieste, is demonstrating how AI, combined with traditional tools like endoscopy, is revolutionizing early cancer detection and diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.
In an interview, Dr. Paulon shared insights into her work and the innovative technology being presented at the festival.
Could you tell us a bit about what you do, who you are, and why you’re here today?
“Sure. I’m Emma Paulon, a gastroenterologist working here in Trieste at Cattinara Hospital. Today, at Trieste Next Festival, we have a stand where we’re showing how to use artificial intelligence along with other tools we’ve had for a long time, like traditional endoscopy.”
She explained that endoscopy has been a core diagnostic tool for gastroenterologists, allowing them to visualize the inside of the gut and detect early-stage tumors before they develop into cancer. However, AI is enhancing their ability to detect lesions that might otherwise go unnoticed.
How is AI changing the way you approach your work?
“With artificial intelligence, we can use a sort of ‘second eye’—a much more trained and advanced eye, if you will—to detect small lesions that we wouldn’t normally be able to see. AI is like having an enhanced assistant that helps us find things we might miss with just a normal camera.”
This technology is critical for improving early diagnosis, especially for conditions that might otherwise progress to more serious stages. Dr. Paulon is enthusiastic about the potential of AI to make routine procedures more effective and accurate, ultimately saving more lives.
What are some other tools you’re showcasing at the festival?
“In addition to AI-assisted endoscopy, we’re showing other tools we use in our everyday work to detect a range of GI conditions,” she explained. “And I’ve noticed that a lot of kids are really interested in what we’re doing here.”
The exhibit, part of Trieste Next’s focus on scientific innovation, is engaging both adults and children, providing an interactive look at how AI is transforming medicine. Dr. Paulon’s work highlights the festival’s broader mission of bridging technology and healthcare, inspiring the next generation of scientists and medical professionals.
As AI becomes more integrated into the medical field, experts like Dr. Paulon are leading the way in demonstrating how these advancements are making healthcare more precise and accessible.
