Tom Polen, CEO of medical technology company BD, predicts that artificial intelligence and robotics will fundamentally reshape healthcare within the next decade, rendering current systems obsolete.
Polen made the remarks during an appearance at the Consello Spark Summit, speaking with Bloomberg's Caroline Hyde. The BD executive outlined how emerging technologies will overhaul healthcare delivery and operations.
BD, a major player in medical devices and diagnostics, is positioned to capitalize on the shift toward AI-enabled systems and robotic automation in clinical settings. The company has been investing in technologies that address labor shortages, improve diagnostic accuracy, and streamline hospital operations.
Polen's assessment aligns with broader industry trends. Healthcare systems worldwide face mounting pressure from aging populations, clinician shortages, and rising costs. AI applications in diagnostics, treatment planning, and administrative tasks are already gaining traction. Robotics is expanding into surgical procedures, laboratory automation, and patient care support.
The timeline Polen suggests—a decade for transformative change—reflects the pace of technology adoption in healthcare, where regulatory approval and integration into existing infrastructure require extended implementation periods.
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