Google Research Head Yossi Mathias: AI For Cancer Research, Quantum's Progress, Researchers' Future - Big Technology Podcast Recap

Podcast: Big Technology Podcast

Published: 2025-10-27

Duration: 29 min

Summary

In this episode, Yossi Mathias discusses the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, particularly cancer research, and the progress in quantum computing. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the journey ahead in unlocking new scientific insights.

What Happened

Yossi Mathias, the head of Google Research, shared insights on the groundbreaking use of AI in cancer research, highlighting a significant breakthrough where a large language model (LLM) helped identify a substance that could signal cancer cells to the immune system. Mathias described this as a remarkable step towards utilizing generative AI to tackle major healthcare challenges, emphasizing that AI can empower researchers to explore complex scientific questions that were previously out of reach. He noted that this is part of a broader journey where collaborations between researchers and AI models are essential for generating hypotheses and uncovering hidden patterns in data.

The conversation also touched on the progress in quantum computing, with Google recently achieving a breakthrough where a quantum chip completed an algorithm 13,000 times faster than a traditional supercomputer. Mathias explained that quantum computing is a long-term endeavor, with roots dating back to the 1980s, and underscored the importance of steady progress and clear milestones. He expressed optimism about seeing practical applications of quantum computing within five years, which could lead to significant advancements in understanding molecules and materials, ultimately enhancing AI capabilities. Mathias articulated a vision where emerging quantum technologies could unlock insights that are currently beyond our reach, fundamentally changing research and development landscapes.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

How is AI being used in cancer research?

Yossi Mathias explained that Google has developed a hypothesis about cancer cell behavior using a large language model, which was validated in a living cell. This breakthrough suggests that generative AI could be instrumental in identifying new treatment pathways, allowing for a deeper understanding of complex healthcare questions. Mathias emphasized the collaborative nature of this research, involving teams from Google Research and DeepMind, and indicated that this is just one step in a long journey towards meaningful healthcare solutions.

What are the latest advancements in quantum computing?

Mathias highlighted a recent achievement where Google's quantum chip completed an algorithm 13,000 times faster than a traditional supercomputer. He pointed out that while such breakthroughs are frequent in headlines, actual advancements in quantum computing require a long-term commitment to research that dates back decades. This specific achievement marks a verifiable advantage of quantum computing over classical systems, which can unlock new opportunities in various fields.

What challenges remain in quantum computing research?

Mathias acknowledged that quantum computing is a complex field with many challenges still to address. He mentioned that while there have been significant breakthroughs, the ultimate realization of practical quantum computing applications is still a long-term goal. The research involves understanding fundamental principles that have been explored since the 1980s, and progress is measured through clear milestones that guide the development of this technology.

How might quantum computing impact AI?

According to Mathias, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize AI by enabling researchers to ask and answer questions that are currently out of reach. The integration of quantum computing with AI will allow for new insights into materials and molecules, which can subsequently enhance AI models. He believes that this symbiotic relationship could lead to material changes in various fields, driven by the new capabilities that quantum computing will provide.

What role does collaboration play in scientific research at Google?

Mathias stressed the critical importance of collaboration in scientific research, particularly in the context of AI and healthcare. He noted that the most significant advancements occur when researchers from different disciplines work together, as seen in the 'cell-to-sentence' project. This collaborative approach helps researchers generate hypotheses and uncover patterns that would otherwise remain hidden, showcasing how teamwork can amplify scientific discovery.