Sara Pirzadeh-Miller, MS, CGC, on AI and Gene Therapy Working in Tandem

This interview was originally published on our sister site, NeurologyLive®.

“What we’re trying to do at NSGC is make sure genetic counselors are at the table, helping drive how AI is integrated into practice in a way that lets us practice at the top of our scope. We’re thinking about how to leverage these technologies so we can focus on what matters most — bringing humanity, empathy, and decision-making to our patient care.”

As more certified genetic counselors have entered the profession in the last decade and the range of medical specialties that integrate genetics into practice has expanded, a rapid evolution of the landscape of genetic counseling and gene therapy has occurred. Furthermore, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by society in general and in the field of genetic counseling has provided genetic counselors with innovative new tools that may improve patient care.

Notably, the 44th National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Annual Conference, held November 6-10 in Seattle, Washington, included sessions on the state of the society and on emerging practice areas for genetic counselors. Sara Pirzadeh-Miller, MS, CGC, president of the NSGC, and the director of Cancer Genetics at UT Southwestern in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, gave a review of NSGC’s current activities and initiatives during these sessions. At the conference, CGTLive® interviewed Pirzadeh-Miller to learn more about NSGC in general and about recent developments on the incorporation of AI into genetic counseling.

During the discussion, Pirzadeh-Miller spoke about the growing role of AI in genetic counseling and genomics, highlighting how these tools can help identify meaningful patterns and insights to better support clinical decision-making. She pointed out that while AI offers exciting opportunities to improve efficiency and patient care, it cannot replace the human connection and empathy at the core of genetic counseling.

Click here to view more coverage of the 2025 NSGC Annual Conference.