Looking beyond AI implementation at HIMSS26

HIMSS CEO Hal Wolf announced a strategic shift in focus for AI discussions at the 2026 HIMSS Global Conference, moving beyond deployment to address governance, workflow integration, and measurable returns. The event will prioritize operational challenges over technical adoption, reflecting healthcare’s evolving AI maturity and the need for structured frameworks to manage its long-term impact. Sessions will explore ROI methodologies, helping organizations quantify AI’s value amid rising implementation costs and regulatory scrutiny in healthcare environments. Workflows will take center stage, with experts analyzing how AI disrupts clinical and administrative processes—balancing efficiency gains against potential disruptions to staff and patient care. Governance emerges as a critical theme, emphasizing ethical guidelines, data security, and compliance as AI adoption scales across global health systems.