From vet school to AI founder: Jason Szumski and vet med’s shift
A new generation of veterinarians is starting to shape the AI conversation from inside the profession, not just from the sidelines. In a recent Vet Life Reimagined episode highlighted at WVC, Illinois graduate Jason Szumski, DVM, discussed moving from vet school into startup building as co-founder of VetSOAP, an AI documentation and clinical support tool designed for veterinary workflows. University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine previously profiled Szumski and co-founder Aaron Smiley, DVM, describing how the product grew out of early-career pain points around confidence, case volume, and the time required to produce complete medical records. VetSOAP was in beta as of April 2024, with Szumski positioning it as a tool to summarize conversations with pet parents and support new graduates as they transition into practice. (vetmed.illinois.edu)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, Szumski’s story lands at the intersection of workforce pressure, documentation burden, and the profession’s growing interest in AI tools that can support — not replace — clinical teams. That interest is already moving into the mainstream: a 2026 industry survey reported that nearly 48% of general practices were using AI tools, largely for medical records and administrative support, while 21% of specialty and emergency clinics reported using AI scribes. At the same time, regulators and practitioners are signaling caution. The AAVSB’s March 2025 AI white paper flagged medical recordkeeping, confidentiality, informed consent, standards of practice, and unlicensed practice as core regulatory considerations, while veterinary commentators including Andy Roark, DVM, and Petra Harms, DVM, have emphasized that enthusiasm for AI still needs to be matched by quality control and clear oversight. (todaysveterinarybusiness.com)
What to watch: Expect more attention on whether veterinarian-built AI tools can prove accuracy, fit into compliant workflows, and deliver measurable relief for early-career clinicians without creating new documentation or liability risks. (aavsb.org)