AI Rounds
AI Rounds is a podcast that explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the work of medical writers and educators. Hosted by Drs. Núria Negrão and Morgan Leafe, the show offers practical insights on AI tools for research and editing, ethical considerations, and real-world integration in medical communication and education.
Episodes
What Works? Rebuilding Evidence for the Age of AI
A traditional research meta-analysis — the gold standard for knowing whether something actually works — can cost over a million dollars and take three to four years. Claire Han thinks that's far too slow for the decisions schools and policymakers have to make right now.Claire earned her PhD in education at Johns Hopkins, trained under the late Robert Slavin, and after federal research contract
Tarot, Fan Fiction, and Work Buddies: How People Really Use AI in 2026
Every so often we check in on how people are really using AI — and Harvard Business Review just dropped its 2026 report, so we do a full top-10 countdown. Some entries are no surprise (therapy and companionship holds at #1, work buddy, troubleshooting), and some genuinely shocked us: astrology and tarot at #9, fan fiction and storytelling at #4, autonomous agentic operations debuting at #6. We dig
The Tables Turn: When Clients Are the Ones Misusing AI
We spend a lot of time talking about how writers can use AI responsibly — but the conversation goes both ways. This week we get into two recent run-ins where clients and companies were the ones using AI badly: RFPs landing in our inboxes with made-up citations and references that are half wrong, and a prospective client who fed a copyrighted writing sample into ChatGPT, then questioned the work ba
AI Is Already in Your Hospital: Breaking Down the HIMSS Healthcare AI Report
Nuria and Morgan dig into the HIMSS State of Healthcare AI and Digital Transformation report, which found that 71% of US healthcare organizations have already adopted AI in some capacity. From ambient documentation that halves the time physicians spend on notes, to AI-powered call centers cutting wait times, to the crucial distinction between closed clinical AI systems and general chatbots, they o
The Robot That Told Dolly Parton Jokes: AI Companionship for Isolated Seniors
Nuria and Morgan share the heartwarming story of Jan Worrell, an 85-year-old living alone in remote Washington State, whose relationship with an AI companion robot called ElliQ improved her cognitive test scores and offered comfort after a family tragedy. They explore the broader implications for elder care and the loneliness epidemic, and what it means that a robot that learns your taste in music
AI Gone Rogue: What 700 Cases of Misbehavior Mean for Agentic Workflows
A UK government-funded study identified nearly 700 real-world cases of AI chatbots ignoring human instructions and charted a five-fold rise in misbehavior, and Nuria and Morgan unpack what this means for anyone building or using agentic AI systems. From deleted email archives to AI that shames its own users online, they discuss why systems thinking and careful containment strategies matter more th
Beyond the Jagged Frontier: How ChatGPT Disproved an 80-Year-Old Conjecture
Nuria and Morgan break down how an OpenAI model succeeded where mathematicians had failed for 80 years, disproving a central conjecture in discrete geometry. They connect the breakthrough to the "jagged frontier" of AI capabilities and explore what it means that a word-prediction model can outperform human experts at systematic mathematical reasoning. Hosted by Nuria Negrão (nurianegrao.
No Goblins Allowed: The Secret Instructions Running Your AI Chatbot
Nuria and Morgan pull back the curtain on system prompts, the hidden instructions that shape how every AI chatbot responds. From the now-infamous "no goblins or trolls" rule uncovered by the Washington Post to Claude's constitutional framework versus ChatGPT's rule-based approach, they explore what these invisible guardrails mean for medical and scientific writers. Hosted by Nuri
Global AI Survey: Hope, Alarm, and Hard Truths
Nuria and Morgan dig into Anthropic's massive global survey of 81,000 people on their hopes and fears about AI, exploring what people actually use it for versus what headlines claim, and why emotional support ranked far lower than expected. The conversation covers hallucinations, misinformation, cognitive atrophy, and why nuance still beats absolutism when it comes to AI adoption. Hosted by Nuria
Know Your Tools, Know Your Value: An Editor's Take on AI
Editor Crystal Herron joins Nuria and Morgan ahead of her session at the Early Career Medical Writer Summit, bringing a perspective that stands out from the rest of the lineup. As an editor rather than a writer, Crystal speaks directly to the anxiety so many people feel right now: if AI is going to take over, why even enter the field? Her answer is the opposite of what the worry suggests. There
Help the Right Clients Find You: Marketing for Medical Writers Who Hate Marketing
Lori De Milto built a six-figure freelance medical writing business within 18 months, starting back in 1997 when the internet was barely anything, and she learned marketing from general business books. She joins Nuria and Morgan to preview her Early Career Medical Writer Summit session, "Blindspots and Breakthroughs: How to Market Yourself Like a Pro," and to reframe what marketing actua
Career Pivots and Pharma Copywriting with Alex Howson and Holly Hagan
Alex Howson and Holly Hagan preview their summit sessions on two distinct entry points into medical writing. Alex talks about pivoting into continuing medical education from academia, research, or clinical practice, and which existing skills actually transfer into the CME niche. Holly pulls back the curtain on medical copywriting in pharma, explaining the regulatory realities that shape the work a
Community as Career Infrastructure with Abigale Miller
Abigale Miller joins Nuria and Morgan to talk about why community is essential for freelance medical writers, especially as AI reshapes hiring, marketing, and the day-to-day of the work. She shares what she has learned from running AMWA's freelancer jam session and her own community, the Anthill, including why even twenty-year veterans still bring questions and doubts to their peers, and why i
Inside the Early Career Medical Writers Summit
Nuria and Morgan introduce the Early Career Medical Writers Summit, running June 8 to 12 as an audio-first community experience on Slack with seven speakers, daily 20-minute sessions, and live Q&As. They walk through who the summit is for, including brand new writers, those a few years in, and folks considering a move from employed roles into freelance, and preview their own sessions: Nuria on
79% of Voters Think the Government Has No Plan to Protect Their Jobs from AI
A Blue Rose Research report is tracking AI as a political issue, and the numbers are striking. AI is rising in voter concern faster than any other issue they track, including climate change, childcare, and abortion. At the same time, 61% of Americans say life has gotten less affordable, and only 25% feel confident in their financial future. Nuria and Morgan talk through what happens when those two
Quit GPT: The Ethics of Which AI Gets Your Money
Morgan quit ChatGPT earlier this year and moved her work to Claude, and this episode explains why. The Quit GPT movement picked up momentum in early 2025 after OpenAI's president Greg Brockman donated $25 million to a Trump super PAC and launched a $125 million lobbying initiative targeting any state that tries to regulate AI. Then came reports that ChatGPT tools were being used by ICE, and th
AI Saves You Time. Does That Mean You Owe the Client a Discount?
It's the question every medical writer is quietly asking: if AI cuts your project time in half, does your rate have to follow? Nuria gives her full answer, and it's a two-part one, depending on who's asking. She makes the case that CME rates have been flat since 2023 while inflation has not, that efficiency gains belong to the writer, and that clients aren't actually paying for hou
When AI Enters the Operating Room
A Reuters report on botched surgeries involving AI-assisted medical devices is making the rounds, and it raises some genuinely uncomfortable questions. Nuria and Morgan dig into the details: an AI navigation tool used in sinus surgery that allegedly failed to identify a patient's carotid artery, leading to a stroke, and an FDA report on AI software for prenatal ultrasounds wrongly labelling fe
The Hiring Game Has Changed: What AI Means for Job Seekers and Recruiters
Morgan puts on her resume writer and interview coach hat for this one. From applicant tracking systems to AI-conducted video interviews, the job market has been transformed faster than most people realise.They look at a QZ article showing that 74% of companies say AI has improved hiring quality, but also that cover letters have been effectively devalued. Morgan breaks down what actually matters no
AI Doesn’t Reduce Work, It Intensifies It
This episode explores how, despite the promise of efficiency, AI can actually increase the cognitive load and volume of work for healthcare professionals. As medical systems grapple with physician shortages and mounting burnout, AI has shifted from a speculative tool to a practical necessity, yet it brings a "tipping point" where frontline clinicians must manage new diagnostic and admini
Live from Atlanta: AI Is Everywhere in CME (But Nobody's Been Trained on It)
Fresh from the ACEHP Annual Conference, Nuria and Morgan break down what three years of AI as the hottest conference topic actually looks like in practice. They dig into the longitudinal survey showing widespread adoption without training, the Great AI Debate, and a standout session on whether AI avatars should replace standardised patients. Plus: an honest conversation about efficiency gains, bur
Follow the Money: The Future of Biotech and Drug Discovery
What are the bankers and big pharma execs saying about AI? We recap the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, exploring how specialized AI is moving beyond the chatbot to transform drug discovery and clinical tools like stethoscopes and EKGs.RESOURCESNúria's website: nurianegrao.comMorgan's website: morganleafemd.com
Privacy in the Age of Memorizing Machines
We’ve been told AI mushes ideas together like a human brain, but new research suggests it might be memorizing your data word-for-word. We discuss the "photographic memory" of LLMs, what it means for the future of copyright law, and why your privacy settings are more important than ever.RESOURCESNúria's website: nurianegrao.comMorgan's website:
From Medical Writer to "Vibe Coder"
Think you need a computer science degree to automate your workflow? Think again. In this episode, we show how "vibe coding" with AI allowed us to build custom tools for generating SOWs and automating PubMed research—saving mental energy for the work that actually matters.RESOURCESNúria's website: nurianegrao.comMorgan's website: morganleafemd.com
Is the Doctor In? The Rise of Dr. ChatGPT
We explore the rapidly evolving dynamic between patients, physicians, and AI tools. We discuss the emergence of "Dr. ChatGPT" as the new "Dr. Google," where patients are turning to AI for companionship and explanations of medical jargon.We also touch on the release of healthcare-specific models and their potential to act as patient advocates during hospital stays. Morgan offers
The 7 Pillars of Safe AI: Unpacking the New ACCME Guidance
Join us for a deep dive into the new ACCME guidance document regarding the use of AI in continuing education. We walk through the seven key points suggested by the ACCME, starting with safeguarding independence and mitigating bias. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of transparently disclosing AI use to build trust, the necessity of human oversight, and how to protect learner identity. We
Repositioning the Medical Writer: Key Takeaways from Our First AI Summit
In this episode, we recap the highlights from our first-ever AI Summit. We break down key takeaways from the six speaker sessions, including Núria's keynote on repositioning our value in the AI age, Emma Nichols’s editing tools, and Sharon Kim’s insights on AI ethics.We also discuss Emily Belcher’s tips on data analysis, Morgan’s advice on using AI for job searches, and Marcia Weldon’s popula
Bridging the AI Gap: From Med School to Practice
In this episode, Morgan and Núria discuss the evolving role of AI in clinical practice and its implications for continuing medical education (CME).They explore the challenges of integrating AI tools into medical education for both new graduates and practicing clinicians, emphasizing the need for AI literacy.The conversation also highlights the importance of funding and support for AI education, as
The End of the Standardized Patient?
Núria and Morgan discuss the latest trends in medical education, particularly focusing on the integration of AI technologies.They explore the use of AI avatars for training medical students in both technical and soft skills, the potential of AI mentors to provide feedback on clinical notes, and the implications of AI in clinical decision-making.The conversation highlights the importance of improvi
Protect Your Inputs, Validate Your Outputs
Morgan and Núria reflect on their experiences at the AMWA annual conference, discussing key topics such as AI safety in medical writing, the importance of client relationships, and the need for clear AI policies.They emphasize the significance of networking and the energizing atmosphere of the conference, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in their field.RESOURC
Can You Copyright Your AI Work? (Ask the Monkey)
This week, Morgan and Núria explore the intersection of AI and law, particularly focusing on copyright issues arising from AI-generated content.They discuss the complexities of copyright ownership, the implications of recent court cases, and the challenges faced by medical writers in navigating these legal waters.The conversation emphasizes the need for strategic considerations regarding copyright
Why AI Thrives at Home but Stalls at Work: Barriers to Adoption in Medical Writing and CME
AI is booming in personal life but lagging in professional workflows. In this conversation, Núria and Morgan explore the contrasting use of AI in personal and professional settings.They discuss the barriers to AI adoption, including cultural skepticism, compliance issues, and the fear of job loss. The importance of AI literacy and normalizing experimentation with AI tools is emphasized as a way to
AI at ChangeMedEd 2025 – From Tool to Teacher
In this conversation, Núria and Morgan discuss the transformative impact of AI on medical education, highlighting insights from the ChangeMed 2025 conference. They explore the diverse attendees, the integration of AI in various educational sessions, and the innovative projects presented. The discussion also delves into the importance of teaching with AI, the concept of precision education, and the
How We Use AI 2: Morgan
In this conversation, Dr. Morgan Leafe shares her experiences and insights on using AI, particularly ChatGPT, in her work as a medical writer. She discusses the various features of ChatGPT that enhance her productivity, including editing, research, and custom solutions. The conversation also touches on the importance of staying updated with AI developments and the ethical considerations surroundin
How We Use AI 1: Núria
In this episode, Dr. Núria Negrão shares her experiences and insights on using AI and AI tools specifically tailored for medical communications and scientific writing.They discuss the importance of selecting the right tools, the nuances of deep research, and how to effectively integrate findings into writing. The conversation also touches on staying updated with the rapidly evolving AI landscape t
Welcome to AI Rounds
Welcome to AI Rounds, the podcast exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way medical writers and educators learn, think, teach, and write.Join your hosts, medical writers and AI experts Drs. Núria Negrão and Morgan Leafe, for practical and insightful conversations that move beyond the hype and into real-world integration. Each episode tackles pressing topics in the medical communic
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