Data and Information
Healthcare IT News, Healthcare Finance News and MobiHealthNews editors discuss happenings from the first official day of HIMSS26, including the keynote speakers' thoughts about AI's future role in healthcare and how to master scaling and innovation.
HIMSS26 kicked off Tuesday in Las Vegas with informative keynotes and discussions on healthcare's hottest topics. Hear from HIMSS CEO Hal Wolf and catch some of the insights that leaders shared at the HIMSS TV Insider news booth.
Kaiser Permanente's Surya Shenoy and Jerri Westphal say that intelligent AI agents can help provide patient education and post-discharge support, but stress that nurses must guide content creation to avoid misinformation.
Anne Snowdon, HIMSS' chief scientific research officer, cautions that AI tools won't improve operations or care delivery unless the technology fits into existing workflows; clinicians and staff must also be trained in their use.
AI, cybersecurity and digital health discussions abound at the HIMSS26 preconference forums. Take a look at the highlights and catch conversations with industry thought leaders.
Discussions during HIMSS26's first day included advice for deploying AI in a responsible, human-centered way and questions about whether federal regulation can keep up with the pace of AI innovation.
General Catalyst's Dr. Stephen Klasko says he's launched a medical education program that integrates AI and data literacy and chooses students based on communication skills, empathy and cultural competence rather than test scores.
Hal Wolf, HIMSS president and CEO, says HIMSS helps leaders assess their AI readiness with the AMAM maturity model before deploying AI and offers neutral guidance on governance and implementing AI tools responsibly.
Rethinking how data is used is essential for health systems as they face workforce shortages and an aging population.
At Akron Children's Hospital, Dr. Peggy Allen says clinicians leverage technology such as smartphones, ambient listening AI and smart medication-dosing tools within EHRs to provide personalized care and build trust with patients.