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President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order directing his administration to use artificial intelligence and health data to accelerate research into pediatric cancer, which remains the leading cause of disease-related death among American children.
The order instructs the MAHA Commission, working with White House science and technology officials, to create AI-driven tools that will improve cancer diagnosis, strengthen clinical trial design and build more advanced data systems to support researchers.
“For too long, we have watched our children and their families battle cancer and its long-term chronic effects while healthcare systems often rely on outdated technologies and can be slow to adopt certain innovations. We must prioritize investment in AI-enabled science, build world-class scientific datasets, and empower researchers and clinicians with the tools needed to translate data and AI capabilities into improved care,” the order stated.
Trump’s directive also expands the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, first launched in 2019, by providing additional federal funding and fostering partnerships with private-sector groups to enhance the collection and analysis of data on childhood cancer.
The measure follows other administration efforts in children’s health, including the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, Research Act, known as the STAR Act, and recent steps by the MAHA Commission to address chronic illnesses in children.
Administration officials said applying artificial intelligence to childhood cancer research could help “make our children healthy again” while safeguarding families’ control over personal health records.
Pediatric cancer diagnoses in the United States have increased steadily since the mid-1970s.
Trump said prioritizing new technologies will give scientists better tools to save lives. “AI-enabled science and cutting-edge data analysis will empower researchers and clinicians to turn breakthroughs into lifesaving care,” he said.
The move follows several child health initiatives during the president’s second term. According to a White House fact sheet, “In February, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the President’s MAHA Commission, tasking the Commission with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis—with an initial focus on childhood chronic diseases.”
The fact sheet also stated, “In May, the MAHA Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment summarizing what is known and what questions remain regarding the childhood chronic disease crisis.”
