President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 30 to expand the use of artificial intelligence in pediatric cancer research and care, directing federal agencies to build on existing data initiatives and accelerate innovation.
Here are six things to know:
- The Make America Healthy Again Commission will lead the effort to apply AI to cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention in children and young adults.
- The order builds on the childhood cancer data initiative — a $50 million-per-year federal investment launched in 2019 — by prioritizing AI integration to accelerate discovery.
- Federal agencies will improve clinical trial design, enhance predictive modeling and analyze complex biologic systems using AI tools.
- HHS will finalize interoperability standards to ensure health data can be securely shared and used with AI, while preserving privacy and parental control.
- The administration is calling for increased federal investment and expanded private sector involvement to maximize AI applications in pediatric cancer care.
- Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among U.S. children ages 1 to 19, with incidence rising more than 40% since 1975.
The move comes amid broader federal policy shifts under the Trump administration that have disrupted cancer research and care. Cuts to NIH grants, changes to the 340B drug pricing program and $911 billion in Medicaid reductions have been linked to layoffs, research hiring freezes, and service cuts at hospitals and academic medical centers nationwide.
After President Trump’s announcement, HHS said it would double annual funding for the childhood cancer data initiative, raising the federal investment from $50 million to $100 million. The increase is aimed at accelerating AI-driven research through expanded data infrastructure and private-sector collaboration.
