More than two decades after AGA outlined its vision for the future of GI care, many predictions have materialized, but not always as expected.
At Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2026, AGA President Lawrence Kim, MD, AGAF, drew on that perspective to call for a broader, more integrated approach to innovation, one that spans technology, care delivery, and workforce development.
Dr. Kim, a partner at South Denver Gastroenterology in Colorado, framed his presidential address around a retrospective analysis of priorities identified by AGA leadership in the early 2000s, highlighting how past predictions have translated into current practice. Colorectal cancer screening remains a dominant focus, with colonoscopy continuing as the primary modality despite earlier expectations that computed tomography colonography or molecular stool testing might replace it.
“These alternatives have limitations, leaving colonoscopy the most effective and reliable screening method,” Dr. Kim said.
He added that newer technologies have helped improve decision-making and workflow, rather than replace current standards.
The address summarized past trends, program results, and new innovations shaping the field. It focused on areas like advances in genomics and proteomics, workforce growth, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
He said genomic and molecular diagnostics have improved screening and risk assessment for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, but they’re not yet fully part of routine care. He also noted that earlier workforce predictions from AGA have come true, with nurse practitioners and physician associates taking on bigger roles, now leading to the creation of formal certification pathways.
Dr. Kim highlighted several AGA initiatives designed to accelerate innovation. The AGA Tech Summit and the Committee for GI Innovation and Technology bring together physicians, researchers, investors, and industry partners to support early-stage development. The AGA Incubator provides structured mentorship for startup companies, while the GI Opportunity Fund offers seed investment in emerging technologies.
One example cited was Edulis Therapeutics, this year’s “Shark Tank” competition winner focused on improving treatment options for patients with Crohn’s disease.
AI was another major focus, particularly the introduction of a point-of-care clinical decision support tool called Next-Gen Intelligence for GI and Liver (NIGEL). The tool is designed to deliver guideline-based recommendations tailored to gastroenterology practice.
“It doesn’t replace clinical judgment — think of it as an on-call AI colleague,” Dr. Kim said.
Beyond technology, the address underscored the importance of leadership development and policy advocacy. Since 2015, the AGA Future Leaders Program has trained physicians who now contribute to guideline development and organizational leadership.
On the policy front, AGA advocacy efforts have focused on Medicare reimbursement, federal research funding, and prior authorization. According to Dr. Kim, these efforts contributed to preventing proposed cuts to research funding and maintaining the structure of National Institutes of Health programs relevant to digestive disease.
Research funding remains a central limitation to innovation, he noted. The AGA Research Foundation awarded $2.9 million to 84 investigators and added 10 pilot grants in response to funding constraints.
Incoming President of the AGA Institute, Byron L. Cryer, MD, AGAF, highlighted emerging research areas presented during the plenary session, including regenerative approaches using enteric neural stem cells for Hirschsprung disease, AI-based endpoints in ulcerative colitis trials to improve detection of treatment effects, and environmental sustainability analyses of endoscopy units.
These efforts show a move toward teamwork across different fields, bringing together areas like translational science, digital health, and systems engineering.
Dr. Kim concluded by emphasizing that new ideas should not be judged just because they’re new, but by how much they improve patient care and everyday clinical practice.
“Our job isn’t to predict the future perfectly,” he said. “It’s to make sure gastroenterology is ready for it.”
Dr. Kim reported having no financial disclosures.
DDW is AGA’s annual meeting, jointly sponsored by AGA, AASLD, ASGE, and SSAT. Learn more at ddw.org.