Episode 76: Interview of Prof. Michele Ammendola

Item: Episode 76: Interview of Prof. Michele Ammendola
Rating: 3
Author: PostSingularity Institute

by Artificial Intelligence Surgery

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Medicine & Health MBMedicine MBFMedical and health informatics

🎙 Artificial Intelligence Surgery 👥 55 📅 May 12, 2026 ⏱ 34 min 👁 14 📄 interview 🧭 2026-08-16

Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

metaversesurgerytelemedicine3D reconstructiontelementoring

Summary

In this episode of the AI and Cybersurgery Podcast, host Vincent interviews Prof. Michele Ammendola, a professor of general surgery at the University of Catanzaro in Italy. Ammendola shares his background, including training at the National Cancer Institute in Bari and time in Strasbourg, France. His primary research has focused on the tumor microenvironment in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly the role of stromal cells. More recently, he has been involved in exploring new technologies in surgery, especially the metaverse. He describes the creation of the first metaverse hospital in 2023 and the first surgery performed in the metaverse. The discussion clarifies the distinction between telemedicine and the metaverse, emphasizing the latter’s ability to integrate multiple functions and systems of record. Barriers to adoption include enterprise investment and legal issues. The episode concludes with a discussion on the legal aspects of cross-border telemedicine and the need for clear regulations.

147 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in the firsthand account of a surgeon actively using metaverse technology in a clinical setting. The argumentation is based on personal experience and the potential benefits of improved communication and multidisciplinary collaboration. However, the discussion lacks concrete data or evidence to support the claims of improved outcomes or cost reduction. The argumentation is more anecdotal than rigorously scientific.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate. The discussion references the metaverse hospital and a paper under review, but no specific sources are cited within the episode. The title accurately reflects the content. The conversation is informal and exploratory, which is typical for a podcast interview, but it does not provide a systematic review of the literature or detailed technical explanations.

138 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which is an interview with Prof. Michele Ammendola.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The interview features a professor of surgery discussing his research and the application of metaverse technology in surgery. The discussion is based on personal experience and ongoing projects, but lacks detailed data or peer-reviewed references within the conversation. The claims about the metaverse's benefits are plausible but not rigorously substantiated in this episode.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Contribution & Novelties

The interview provides a unique perspective on the practical implementation of metaverse technology in surgery, including the creation of a metaverse hospital. It highlights the potential for improved communication and multidisciplinary collaboration. However, the discussion is largely anecdotal and lacks detailed technical or clinical data.

Pour aller plus loin :

Metaverse in healthcare — Overview of metaverse applications in healthcare.
Telemedicine — Background on telemedicine and its evolution.
Augmented reality in surgery — Applications of AR in surgical settings.

79 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows moderate scores across all dimensions, indicating a balanced but not particularly deep or rigorous discussion. The content is informative but lacks strong scientific backing.

Reliability 6/10