THU AM News: UW computing expert says state ‘very well-positioned’ to lead on AI; Exact Sciences rolls out new Cancerguard blood test

September 11, 2025

— The head of UW-Madison’s School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences says Wisconsin is “very well-positioned to be a leader” in AI development.

Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, a professor in the university’s Computer Sciences Department and a special advisor to the Provost on computing, spoke yesterday during a meeting of the Madison Rotary Club. He discussed the rapid evolution of AI and how UW-Madison can leverage its expertise across various disciplines to play a role in that process.

“We have a great history of innovation and putting innovation into practice in the industry,” he said. “We have a strong group of people that do machine learning, which is kind of at the heart of AI, and that’s across departments. We have strong people who build systems and put what they do into practice.”

Arpaci-Dusseau noted large corporations such as Google and OpenAI are pouring billions of dollars into AI development, “but there is more innovation to be had and we should be a part of that.”

He also weighed in on how AI will impact jobs in computer science, noting he doesn’t agree with the notion that the technology will entirely replace positions in this field. While AI tools are helping people program things faster than they used to, they’re fundamentally not “deeply intelligent,” he said.

“People are trying to see, like, how much do the tools replace junior people? … I think it’s very short-sighted to think that’s a good thing to do,” he said.

While many of the school’s computer science graduates go work for “core industries” around AI, pointing to companies like Google, he added they’re increasingly being hired by other businesses across other sectors.

“Because what modern company isn’t a technology company in some way?” he said.

He also referenced an ongoing effort to launch a new college focused on computing at UW-Madison, which university leadership is currently considering. Along with helping other key disciplines such as medicine, law, engineering, and agriculture adapt to the AI-driven tech transformation, he also pointed to possible efforts in the public policy space.

“We should be thinking about how should we shape public policy in order to make sure that all of this technology lands on all of us in a way that’s good for all of us, and not good for just a few,” he said.

Watch the video and see an earlier related story.

— Exact Sciences has launched a new blood test for cancer, which aims to catch various cancers earlier and reduce death rates.

Dr. Tom Beer, chief medical officer for multi-cancer early detection, says the new Cancerguard test “offers a critical early warning” that cancer may be present and supports the pathway to diagnosis.

“As adoption grows, we’ll look back and ask how we ever settled for screening for only a few cancers while letting the majority go undetected,” Beer said in yesterday’s announcement. “Like the smartphone redefined communication, Cancerguard has the power to redefine cancer detection and the future of early intervention.”

The multi-cancer early detection, or MCED blood test, assesses circulating tumor DNA and proteins in the blood that are linked to cancer. This approach can improve detection of some of the most life-threatening cancers even at early stages, the release shows, including pancreatic, ovarian, liver, esophageal, lung and stomach cancers

Broad use of the Cancerguad test alongside standard-of-care screening over a 10-year period could lead to 42% fewer state IV cancer diagnosis, and lower overall cancer-related death by 18%, according to figures from the company.

Studies found the test had 68% sensitivity across “six of the deadliest cancers” and 64% overall sensitivity across a broad range of cancers. Plus, it identified more than one-third of cancers in stages I and II, when it’s easier to treat.

The announcement notes Cancerguard comes after nearly a decade of development that pulled data from large scientific studies with more than 20,000 participants. Exact Sciences says it’s now actively enrolling up to 25,000 participants in another study to “further validate clinical utility and support broad adoption” of the test.

Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, says Cancerguard “represents the next bold step” in the company’s effort to improve early cancer detection. The company’s existing Cologuard test has been used more than 20 million times for colorectal cancer screening.

“With deep, trusted relationships across the health care system, Exact Sciences has the reach, credibility, and commitment to bring earlier answers to more people,” Conroy said. “This is the moment where we begin to change the course of cancer forever and give people power over their futures.”

See the release.

— Venture Investors Health Fund has announced the close of its seventh fund with $80 million raised, building on decades of investing in health innovations.

The Madison-based investment firm, called VI for short, says it’s invested in more than 80 companies since being founded in 1984, 11 of which have exited with valuations between $250 million and $2.25 billion.

The newly raised fund aims to drive “breakthrough” health care innovations to improve the standard of care, according to yesterday’s announcement. Managing Partner Jim Adox emphasizes the firm’s commitment to backing “visionary” entrepreneurs who can have a major impact in the health space.

Portfolio companies include: HistoSonics, a company that uses sound waves to destroy tumors; EarliTech, which has an eye-tracking method for diagnosing autism; Cellectar Biosciences, a company that’s developing new cancer treatment approaches; Visana, which has a virtual clinic offering specialized care for women; and more.

“By focusing on technology that truly transforms how patients receive care, we aim to accelerate the translation of decades of research into real-world impact for patients and their physicians,” Adox said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Technology Council is applauding VI’s latest fund closing.

Joe Kremer, director of the group’s Investor Networks, notes Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem “still faces a critical need” for more mid-sized venture funds that can provide investments between $5 million and $15 million that many companies need to scale up.

“Venture Investors’ commitment to backing transformative medical devices, diagnostics, pharma and digital health companies, many spun out of university research, is exactly the kind of targeted, sector-smart capital that keeps Wisconsin startups growing here rather than relocating elsewhere,” Kremer said in a statement.

See the release.

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— UW-Stevens Point and Northcentral Technical College have formed a new partnership to develop joint programming, establish a “streamlined” transfer process and save on operational costs.

Under the partnership, UWSP at Wausau will relocate to the NTC campus, according to yesterday’s announcement. NTC will keep offering associate’s degrees while UWSP at Wausau will offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the tech college starting in fall 2026.

“UWSP and NTC are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars by working together towards the state’s degree attainment goals,” Interim Chancellor Pratima Gandhi said in the release. “The partnership will further prepare students for Wisconsin’s workforce by developing programs that fit regional business and industry needs.”

See the release.

— Gov. Tony Evers announced the Non-State Grant Program is now taking applications for its next round of funding, with $50 million in grants available.

The program, created by Evers in 2023, got an additional $50 million in funding in the 2025-27 state budget to support more community development and infrastructure projects in Wisconsin. The application deadline for this round of funding runs through Oct. 31.

Projects approved for the Non-State Grant Program last year included expanding health clinics, funding education centers, renovating libraries, developing airport infrastructure, and more.

Applicants will need to secure funding from non-state revenue sources covering at least half of the total project cost, the release shows. Individual awards will be limited to $2 million.

See the release.

— The Wisconsin Bankers Association is supporting Employ Milwaukee’s BankWork$ program with a $15,000 donation, the group announced.

The program aims to help young adults from low-income and underserved communities develop financial and professional skills needed to work in banking.

Adrien Wright, BankWork$ instructor with Employ Milwaukee, notes the program helps participants learn skills that can help them advance beyond entry-level jobs.

“BankWork$ gives them confidence, financial knowledge and empowerment, pride, self-sufficiency, and a career in which there are opportunities to excel,” Wright said in the release. “It’s a winning combination for everyone involved.”

See the release.

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