Keeping pace with the AI race

Healthcare AI innovation is happening at a rapid pace—but it’s not one race to success. Disruption is actually running across multiple lanes of the research and care continuum. Just the past few weeks illustrate a broad set of AI digital health announcements, from GE HealthCare and Mass General Brigham co-developing a predictive scheduling algorithm for radiology, to Cigna and Virgin Pulse sharing plans for an AI-enabled personalized employee wellness platform, to Intuition Robotics raising $25M for its AI aging support robot ElliQ.

The ubiquity of AI applications means that AI-enablement may transform from “differentiator” to “status quo” for digital health startups. According to Rock Health’s venture funding database, 25% of digital health startups that raised in H1 2023 reported using AI in their products or offerings—with some companies using dozens of algorithms within their solution set, influencing processes including scheduling, billing, patient assessment, and communication. But as AI initiatives and accompanying announcements become more common, the push for responsible AI research and governance may become the most critical AI race of them all.

Rock Health Summit is only two weeks away! Join us on Wednesday, September 27 for a day of inspiring connections, dynamic speakers, and insights on innovation. For a preview, tune into the first installment of the Rock Health Summit 2023 virtual series featuring leaders from Lux Capital, The SCAN Foundation, CVS Health, and Rock Health Advisory as they unpack digital health funding trends from the first half of 2023, and reflect on the future of healthcare innovation investing. Virtual tickets are still available—register today!

Headlines

Thoma Bravo To Buy Healthcare Software Company NextGen Healthcare For $1.8B
Deal will provide NextGen with capital, expertise, and strategic flexibility Fierce Healthcare

Apple Plans Major ‘Watch X’ Overhaul For Device’s 10-Year Anniversary
Rumored changes include a magnetic band, larger battery, and blood pressure monitor Bloomburg

Click Therapeutics Teams Up With Indivior To Make Digital Therapeutics For Substance Use Disorders
Partnership combines Click’s AI tech with Indivior's expertise in addiction treatment Fierce Healthcare

Amazon's Chief Medical Officers On Where The Company's Health Care Bets Are Headed Next
Will capitalize on marketplace expertise to connect customers with healthcare products and services STAT

Mental Health Startups Are Opting For A Business Model That Starts In Elementary School
Companies are looking to prove their value to cash-strapped school districts Modern Healthcare

Recent Funding

• Life-sciences data compliance and certification solution Integral seeds $6.9M
• Blooming Health grabs $4.2M for its engagement and case management solution for older adults
• Pumpspotting collects $2.2M for its community-based breastfeeding support solution