This year's HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology leaders to discuss the future of digital health. AI, cybersecurity, and — unsurprisingly to anyone in the healthcare space — interoperability dominated the conversation.
Five key themes that emerged at this year's HIMSS25 conference:
- Artificial Intelligence: Beyond the Hype - AI in healthcare was a central discussion point at HIMSS25, with industry leaders focusing on its practical applications rather than just theoretical potential. Experts emphasised the importance of responsible AI governance to ensure accuracy, fairness, and compliance.
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Cybersecurity in Healthcare: A Growing Priority - The latest HIMSS Cybersecurity Survey revealed that social engineering attacks such as phishing and "smishing" remain the biggest threats to healthcare providers.
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Interoperability and Digital Transformation - Interoperability remains a critical focus as hospitals and healthcare providers work toward seamless data exchange across different systems. This is particularly vital in regions where patients frequently cross borders for treatment.
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Healthcare Workforce Challenges - AI-driven patient monitoring tools can help filter out unnecessary alerts, reducing "alarm fatigue" for nurses.
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Regulatory Uncertainty Around AI and Cybersecurity - From a policy perspective, AI governance and cybersecurity regulations remain uncertain, particularly in the US.