AI, results and value: Leaders share views from ViVE conference

The ViVE digital health conference drew about 7,000 healthcare leaders to Los Angeles a few weeks ago for discussions about AI, technology and changes in the industry.

More than a dozen healthcare leaders shared their insights from the conference with Chief Healthcare Executive®.

While the leaders offered a variety of perspectives, several underscored that hospitals and healthcare organizations are looking at AI differently.

They are seeking results and aren’t just going for a novel tool or device. They’re also looking for solutions that help patients, doctors, nurses and other key staff. They want AI tools aimed at solving specific problems.

Leaders also talked about adding new tools to help clinicians make better decisions, and some called for better governance to ensure AI is used properly.

Executives shared their views on ViVE, in their own words.

Philipp von Gilsa, CEO, Kontakt.io

“AI dominated my conversations with hospital executives, but we also uncovered a strategic gap. Hospitals need to use AI better to attain operational advantages: optimizing flow and reducing the length of stay; matching supply and demand in real time; increasing outpatient access and revenue; and ultimately, improving the overall experience of patients and caregivers alike."

Rachael Jones, CEO of Syntax Health

"What stood out at VIVE was a shift from disruption to durability. Across several conversations, the focus wasn't on selling the future -- it was on stabilizing performance in a tighter margin environment. Organizations are demanding transparency in contract design, disciplined portfolio management, and technology that reduces financial surprises."

Patty Hayward, general manager of healthcare and life sciences at Talkdesk

"One of the biggest takeaways from ViVE is that healthcare organizations are no longer buying tools, they’re buying outcomes. The focus is on using AI to improve access, streamline workflows, and guide patients to the right care at the right time. That shift puts patient experience and operational orchestration at the center of strategy.”

Kevin Ritter, EVP, Care In Motion, Altera Digital Health

“Healthcare is undergoing a significant shift in the application of artificial intelligence, moving beyond isolated point solutions that address individual tasks. AI is evolving into a sophisticated orchestration layer that connects and coordinates disparate systems and workflows across the entire healthcare enterprise. This evolution will enable the automation and streamlining of complex processes, ultimately improving efficiency, reducing administrative burden and enhancing patient care.”

Greg Miller, VP of marketing & business development, Carta Healthcare

"What stood out most was the steady reminder that AI is only as good as the clinical judgment behind it. Speaker after speaker emphasized that technology should strengthen, not sideline, the role of the clinician. The overall tone felt thoughtful and pragmatic, focused on getting innovation right rather than just getting it fast."

Michael Dalton, Founder & CEO, Ovatient

"There is a divide between vendors, patients and health systems on what patients are expecting from AI and their care teams. Yes, AI can make things easier but care still needs to feel personal, human and trustworthy - and patients need to be at the table as AI is being deployed. AI should be the great equalizer for patients and their care teams, creating a shared understanding for both parties - it doesn't remove or replace the need for the care team."

Oren Nissim, CEO and co-founder for Brook Health

“What stood out most was the shift from AI experimentation to accountability. Health systems are looking for solutions that measurably improve outcomes, reduce clinician burden, and expand access to care. In the context of an aging population and rising chronic disease, the conversation is moving toward how we extend care beyond the hospital walls in a sustainable way. The organizations that will lead are the ones that combine advanced technology with a human-centered approach, ensuring innovation strengthens relationships rather than replacing them.”

Sari Green, MD, physician executive director, Accuity

"We heard a clear call at ViVE for stronger clinical governance in this space. The clinical voice and the administrative and financial voices must come together to truly understand each other’s worlds. Change in health care is constant, and while it often feels like an obstacle, there is real opportunity in it. If we harness that change thoughtfully, we can strengthen both care delivery and organizational integrity at the same time."

Kim Perry, chief growth officer, emtelligent

"ViVE made it clear that AI adoption in healthcare has moved from experimentation to scale, with ambient scribe tools now everywhere. But that growth is exposing a larger downstream challenge: organizations still struggle to convert this surge of clinical data into reliable, actionable information. The next wave of innovation will need to focus on activating this wealth of data while managing how it flows across the ecosystem, especially as new regulations like CMS-0057 take effect. Early in 2026, it’s clear that the need for scalable clinical data infrastructure is only accelerating."

Camille McWhirter, VP of real-world data, clinical trials, Omega Healthcare

“The future of clinical trials depends on access, data quality, and operational scale. As studies expand beyond academic medical centers into community settings, AI and real-world data are proving essential for data integrity, decentralized models, and managing growing data volumes. Wearables and hybrid designs are reducing patient burden and expanding participation, but technology alone isn’t enough. As trials become more decentralized and data-intensive, success ultimately requires the right blend of people, process, and technology behind the scenes.”

Kem Graham, VP of growth and strategy at CliniComp

“Healthcare organizations are no longer asking whether to modernize their clinical and operational infrastructure; they are asking how to do it without adding complexity, and with vendors that are true partners. There is growing recognition that interoperability and cybersecurity can’t be afterthoughts, especially as AI becomes embedded in care delivery across the patient experience. What stood out most was the shift from talking about innovation to practical execution.”

Brian Robertson, Founder & CEO of VisiQuate

"What I saw at ViVE 2026 was a community of leaders who are still passionate about solving real problems in healthcare. The focus wasn’t hype – it was how we collaborate to improve things like data flow for patients and how we deliver measurable value. As AI continues to evolve, the takeaway for me is simple: the most impactful solutions will pair practical AI with the human expertise and commitment that drive healthcare forward."

David Lareau, CEO of Medicomp Systems

ViVE was, once again, a great opportunity to meet with partners and have substantive conversations without the chaos and distractions of the larger conferences. For B2B discussions, potential partners have better availability for in-depth meetings.

Lathe Bigler, SVP, Business Development at Buzz Health

"We are moving past the era of ‘tech for tech’s sake’ toward a mandate for silent, high-impact integration. Three imperatives emerged for the executive suite: First, AI must be embedded directly into prescribing workflows, not siloed in chatbots. We need intelligence operating silently within medication selection, formulary alternatives, and prior authorization routing to be effective. Second, we have to move beyond 'estimated costs.' True price transparency at the point of care requires real-time data on deductible impact, discount card options, and pharmacy variability. Finally, the industry has shifted toward a dual-mandate: tools must reduce provider friction and drive measurable financial benefit."