In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Tim Ferris, Vice President of Healthcare Practice for Intersystems, Dr Tom Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Heidi Health, and Hal Wolf, President and CEO of HIMSS, about the evolving role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in addressing challenges in healthcare delivery, data integration, and system efficiency.

The conversation explores how real-world pressures such as workforce strain, rising demand, and fragmented systems are shaping the way technology is adopted across healthcare.

It looks closely at what makes digital tools succeed in practice, from easing clinical workflows to improving access to meaningful data, and why many past solutions have struggled to deliver on their promise.

The episode also dives into the growing impact of AI in clinical settings, including its role in reducing administrative burden and supporting better decision-making.

Alongside this, it examines the importance of trust, patient expectations, and the need for systems that are not only innovative but practical, reliable, and built to support care where it matters most.

This episode was recorded during HIMSS 2026 in Las Vegas and features conversations Talking HealthTech had on the expo floor with industry leaders and innovators.

Key Takeaways

🧑‍⚕️ Technology’s evolving role: AI and large language models are poised to transform healthcare delivery by addressing supply and demand imbalances and supporting frontline clinicians.

🔑 Practical implementation challenges: Real-world adoption depends on solving specific clinical problems, ensuring seamless data aggregation, and focusing on user-friendly tools.

💸 Funding and adoption incentives: Different healthcare systems (such as the NHS vs the US) adapt AI and technology for cost, efficiency, and clinician satisfaction, affecting the pace and nature of adoption.

🤝 Data, trust, and usage: The growth of agents and AI in healthcare introduces new complexities around data ownership, patient trust, and security, requiring new ways to manage access and responsible use.

🌏 Innovation across the industry: Global perspectives sync on the value of integrating AI into workflows, from documentation to communication, showing both opportunities and hesitations among clinicians and patients.

Timestamps

00:00 - Peter Birch: Episode intro

02:56 - Tim Ferris, Vice President of Healthcare Practice, Intersystems

15:17 - Dr Tom Kelly, CEO & Co-Founder, Heidi Health

23:36 - Hal Wolf, President & CEO, HIMSS

39:42 - Peter Birch: Episode wrap-up

Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.

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