In an increasingly digital world where most industries have transitioned online, the medical space has been slower to adopt, weighed down by decades of physical infrastrucure and regulatory red-tape. Yet, an ambitious group of companies is leading a revolution, aiming to unify the global healthcare landscape with technology, one patient at a time.
From telehealth adoption during the pandemic to electronic medical record implementation, these companies have overcome significant barriers to applying cutting-edge technology in a complex industry.
This year, the healthcare space has entered a new frontier with the rapid introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). Here are three health-tech companies already using AI to improve patient experiences.
GE Healthcare
GE HealthCare is a global leader in medical technology and digital healthcare solutions. Originally part of General Electric, it became an independent publicly traded company in early 2023. With a well-established reputation in medical imaging, including MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound, the company is now focusing on how AI can enhance diagnostics, personalize treatment, and improve overall patient care.
One of the key applications of AI in GE Healthcare’s portfolio is in medical imaging. The company is using AI algorithms to analyze complex images, such as X-rays and MRIs, with improved speed and accuracy. These tools assist radiologists in identifying patterns and anomalies that could indicate diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. Additionally, AI helps prioritize urgent cases by quickly identifying critical findings and streamlining radiology workflows to ensure that patients with serious conditions receive prompt attention.
Beyond imaging, GE Healthcare is exploring the potential of AI in personalized medicine. By analyzing genomic data, AI can help tailor treatments to individual patients based on their genetic profiles. This approach is particularly beneficial in areas like oncology, where targeted therapies can offer more effective treatment options with fewer side effects compared to traditional methods.
WELL Health Technologies
WELL Health Technologies is Canada’s largest operator of outpatient medical clinics and one of the leading health-tech companies in North America. Similarly to GE Healthcare, the company operates across a wide range of areas in the medical space from direct patient care to operating systems and clinic tools. WELL is focused on empowering both patients and healthcare providers and is implementing AI across the board to achieve this.
Currently, healthcare practitioners spend a significant amount of time and resources dealing with paperwork and other administrative tasks. WELL’s AI automates tasks like appointment scheduling, transcription, data analysis, and patient follow-ups, allowing providers to focus more on in-person patient care. AI-driven symptom checkers also assist in triaging patients and personalizing care based on individual medical histories.
Additionally, Well Health Technologies is applying AI in diagnostics and remote monitoring, aiding in the early detection of diseases and continuous tracking of patient health. This year, they began a partnership with Toronto-based HealWell AI, a leader in preventative care, to launch a number of collaborations, including an AI-powered physician co-pilot for cardiologists. This tool, an extension of WELL’s AI Decision Support system, focuses on enhancing the detection and management of cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading cause of death globally.
Merative
Merative is a healthcare technology company that evolved from IBM Watson Health, a division launched by IBM in 2015 with the goal of revolutionizing healthcare through artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics.
Merative specializes in clinical decision support, healthcare data and analytics, population health management, and real-world evidence for clinical research. By using AI, Merative aims to improve patient outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and support personalized medicine through predictive analytics and natural language processing.
Beyond clinical applications, Merative’s AI solutions enhance healthcare operations by optimizing supply chains and improving patient engagement through personalized communication. These innovations are making healthcare more efficient and effective, positioning Merative as a key player in the ongoing transformation of the industry.
Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.
