AI in oncology is often discussed in terms of breakthroughs. But inside leading cancer centers, the focus is much more practical: what works, for whom, and how do you measure success?

In this first episode of a four-part series, Nasim Eftekhari, Chief AI and Analytics Officer at City of Hope, joins Erik Pupo of Guidehouse to examine how oncology AI is evaluated in real-world settings.

Eftekhari outlines why performance metrics take priority over financial return, why FDA-approved solutions still require local validation, and where AI is already delivering measurable impact across diagnostics and clinical workflows.

The conversation also explores how organizations should think about success versus failure when outcomes can range from incremental improvements to life-or-death impact.

A grounded discussion on what it actually takes to make AI work in cancer care.