Program

Join us for two premier events on innovation in healthcare AI and data science:

🔹 Health AI Summit (HAI)
🔹 AI Spring Research Workshop (DSI)

These summits bring together experts, researchers, and industry leaders to explore groundbreaking advancements. The program features insightful talks, expert-led sessions, and interactive discussions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Stay tuned for the full agenda and event updates.

HEALTHCARE AI SUMMIT PROGRAM

DAY 1

June 10, 2025

Check-in & Breakfast

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Meet fellow attendees over breakfast and connect with AI innovators, healthcare leaders, and policymakers.

Welcome

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM

Fireside Chat – Reimagining Rural Healthcare

9:20 AM – 10:05 AM

Picture of Bill Gassen

Bill Gassen

Sanford Health

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Fireside Chat – Reimagining Rural Healthcare: AI, Innovation, and Access

In this fireside chat, Bill Gassen shares insights on how Sanford Health, one of the nation’s largest rural health systems, is leveraging AI, virtual care, and clinical innovation to transform healthcare delivery across rural America. The conversation explores how technology expands access to care, improves patient outcomes, and supports the healthcare workforce, while highlighting strategic partnerships, cutting-edge research, and responsible AI adoption for sustainable rural health models.

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Gopal Khanna

Chair, Health AI Institute

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Moderator

Fireside Chat – Reimagining Rural Healthcare: AI, Innovation, and Access

In this fireside chat, Bill Gassen shares insights on how Sanford Health, one of the nation’s largest rural health systems, is leveraging AI, virtual care, and clinical innovation to transform healthcare delivery across rural America. The conversation explores how technology expands access to care, improves patient outcomes, and supports the healthcare workforce, while highlighting strategic partnerships, cutting-edge research, and responsible AI adoption for sustainable rural health models.

Coffee Break

10:05 AM – 10:20 AM

Panel: Startups at the Frontlines of Health AI Innovation

10:20 AM – 11:30 AM

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Sanjay Doddamini

GuideHealth

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Picture of Khurram Mir

Khurram Mir

UCI Health Ventures

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Picture of John Perez

John Perez

Rex Health Ventures

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Pamela York

Capita3

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Ikram Khan

Health AI Institute

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Moderator

Startups at the Frontlines of Health AI Innovation

The intersection of AI and healthcare is fostering a wave of early-stage innovation. This panel explores the landscape of Health AI startups, focusing on funding and investment opportunities, market adoption challenges, and strategies for scaling impact. Discussion themes include venture capital and partnerships, navigating clinical workflow integration, and real-world examples of startups driving value in patient care, diagnostics, drug discovery, and operational efficiency.

Panel: Emerging AI Technologies in Healthcare Context

11:30 AM – 12:40 PM

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Eric E. Williamson

Mayo Clinic

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Picture of Rodolphe Katra

Rodolphe Katra

Medtronic

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Picture of James Southwick

James Southwick

GREATER MSP

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Richard Kuntz

Medtronic

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Picture of Chris Tignanellii

Chris Tignanellii

Professor

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Picture of Jaideep Srivastava

Jaideep Srivastava

Professor CS, UMN

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Moderator

Emerging AI Technologies in Healthcare Context: Opportunities and Challenges

AI’s rapid adoption in healthcare raises critical ethical and regulatory questions. This session examines frameworks for ethical AI development, navigating global and regional regulations (e.g., FDA’s AI/ML framework), and addressing challenges like patient privacy, bias, and accountability. Our experts share actionable strategies for responsible AI adoption to ensure trust and compliance.

Lunch

12:40 PM – 1:55 PM

Welcome

1:55 PM – 2:40 PM

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Senator Amy Kloubachar

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Speaker Talk: Responsible AI in Health: From Technical Rigor to Trust and Adoption

1:55 PM – 2:10 PM

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Constantin Aliferis

Director, IHI -UMN

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Panel: catalyzing MINNESOTA VC ecosystem

2:10 PM – 2:40 PM

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Geof Hanngian

Principal
Medical Alley Starts

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Picture of Mary Groves

Mary Groves

MD
Bread & Butter Ventures

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Picture of Ikram Khan

Ikram Khan

Health AI Institute

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Moderator

Catalyzing Health AI Innovation: How Minnesota’s VC Ecosystem Can Lead the Future of Healthcare

Minnesota is home to some of the most powerful players in global healthcare—from Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group to a dense cluster of over 800 medtech companies. Yet, to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving world of Health AI, the region must translate this institutional strength into a thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem.

This panel brings together leading voices from venture capital and ecosystem development to explore how Minnesota can become a national leader in Health AI innovation. Panelists will discuss investment trends, infrastructure gaps, and strategies to support high-growth AI startups. From access to capital and real-world data, to accelerating partnerships with health systems, this session will provide a roadmap for turning Minnesota’s healthcare legacy into its next-generation tech advantage.

Keynote

1:55 PM – 2:40 PM

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Amy Klobachar

Senator

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Picture of Mary Grove

Mary Grove

Bread and Butter Ventures

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Picture of Ikram Khan

Ikram Khan

Health AI Institute

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Moderator

Break

2:40 PM – 2:55 PM

Panel: AI for Clinical Decision

2:55 PM – 4:05 PM

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Genevieve Melton

Fairview Health

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Picture of Jared Pelo

Jared Pelo

Microsoft

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Karyn Baum

Professor, UMN

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Picture of Jack C. O' Horo

Jack C. O' Horo

Mayo Clinic

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Deepti Pandita

UCI Health

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Moderator

AI for Clinical Care Delivery to Reduce Clinician Cognitive Burden

AI is transforming clinical decision-making by improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing variability, and enabling personalized care. This session explores AI’s role in radiology, pathology, and predictive analytics, alongside strategies for seamless integration into clinical workflows. The panel addresses clinician resistance, trust in AI systems, and generative AI use cases driving efficiency and productivity

Coffee Break

4:05 PM – 4:20 PM

Keynote: Advancing Health IT Policy with AI

4:20 PM – 5:05 PM

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Steve Posnack

Acting Assistant Secretary, ASTP, HHS

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Advancing Health IT Policy with AI

Steve Posnack discusses the federal perspective on integrating AI into health IT policy, focusing on advancing innovation, ensuring interoperability, and addressing ethical considerations. The conversation highlights HHS’s role in shaping AI-driven healthcare transformation and fostering collaboration across sectors

Dinner Reception & Networking

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Join us for refreshments and more networking opportunities.

DAY 2

June 11, 2025

Check-in & Breakfast

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Meet fellow attendees over breakfast and connect with AI innovators, healthcare leaders, and policymakers.

Welcome

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM

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Gopal Khanna

Chair, Health AI Institute

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Speaker Talk

9:10 AM – 9:35 AM

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Prof Vipin Kumar

Computer Scientist
UMN

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Speaker Talk: Future of human led AI powered Transformation

9:35 AM – 9:55 AM

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Dr Ashish Atreja

UC Davis Health

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Coffee Break

9:55 AM – 10:10 AM

Panel: Bipartisan Health AI Policy

10:10 AM – 11:20 AM

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Tarek Tomes

MN Commisioner
& CIO

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Eric Lucero

MINNESOTA state
senator

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Steve Elkins

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Katie Adams

Bipartisan
Policy Center

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Picture of Gopal Khanna

Gopal Khanna

Chair, Health AI Institute

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Moderator

Bipartisan Policy Panel – Forging a Bipartisan Path for Health AI

As AI reshapes healthcare, the U.S. must lead in setting global standards. This panel discusses bipartisan approaches to Health AI policy, aligning federal and state efforts, fostering innovation with ethical guardrails, and learning from past standardization efforts to create robust, forward-looking policies.

Panel: Operational Efficiency & Resource Optimization

11:20 AM – 12:30 PM

Picture of Ashish Atreja

Ashish Atreja

UC Davis Health

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Picture of Ryan Jelinkek

Ryan Jelinkek

Hennepin Healthcare

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Picture of Jared Pelo

Jared Pelo

Microsoft

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Picture of Emily Blomberg

Emily Blomberg

Regions Hospital

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Picture of Deepti Pandita

Deepti Pandita

UCI Health

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Moderator

AI for Operational Efficiency and Resource Optimization

Healthcare organizations face pressure to optimize resources and streamline operations. This panel explores AI applications in predictive scheduling, bed management, and supply chain efficiency, alongside real-world examples of reducing waste and managing high-demand periods. The discussion addresses challenges like staff retraining and balancing automation with human oversigh

Closing Remarks & Next Steps

12:30 PM – 12:40 PM

Thank you for attending! Final thoughts and action items.

Networking Lunch

12:40 PM – 2:40 PM

Join us for refreshments and more networking opportunities.

AI SPRING RESEARCH WORKSHOP PROGRAM

Stay tuned for the detailed program of the AI Spring Research Workshop – coming soon!

DAY 1

June 11, 2025

Welcome

2:40 PM – 2:50 PM

Picture of Andrew Alleyne

Andrew Alleyne

Dean and Professor
University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering

The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Keynote 1

2:50 PM – 3:50 PM

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Aimee Rinehart

Senior Product Manager AI Strategy
Associated Press

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Picture of Galin Jones

Galin Jones

Director and Professor
University of Minnesota School of Statistics

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Session Chair

The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Coffee Break

3:50 PM – 4:20 PM

Talk: AI and Democratic Values Index

4:20 PM – 5:00 PM

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Ren Bin Lee Dixon

AI Policy Analyst
Center for AI and Digital Policy

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

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James Hollyer

Associate Professor
Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota

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Session Chair

Talk: AI and Democratic Values Index

The AI and Democratic Values Index is a comprehensive review of AI policies and practices worldwide. Produced by the Research Group of the Center for AI and Digital Policy, the report provides a comparative analysis of national approaches to AI governance, tracks progress, and identifies emerging trends. Now in its fifth edition, the 2025 report evaluates more than 80 countries using a rigorous methodology and 12 metrics designed to assess alignment with democratic values.

Talk: Understanding Privacy and AI Governance: Challenges and Recent Developments

5:00 PM – 5:40 PM

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Eleni Kyriakides

Adjunct Professor, Privacy, AI, and Product Attorney Georgetown Law

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The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Picture of James Hollyer

James Hollyer

Associate Professor
Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota

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Session Chair

Understanding Privacy and AI Governance: Challenges and Recent Developments

As artificial intelligence systems become increasingly embedded in daily life, their impact on privacy has emerged as a central challenge. This talk explores the evolving landscape of AI regulation, data protection, and ethical accountability. While AI development and deployment is often in tension traditional privacy principles such as data minimization and transparency, recent global policy developments are beginning to tackle these tradeoffs. The session aims to deepen understanding of the intersection between AI and privacy and offer insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working to develop responsible and transparent AI systems.

DAY 2

June 12, 2025

Check-in & Breakfast

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Meet fellow attendees over breakfast and connect with AI innovators, healthcare leaders, and policymakers.

Welcome

Picture of Galin Jones

Galin Jones

Director and Professor
University of Minnesota School of Statistics

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9:00 AM – 9:10 AM

Keynote 2

9:10 AM – 10:10 AM

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Hannah Poferl

Assistant Managing Editor, Chief Data Officer, and Head of Audience
The New York Times

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Benjamin Toff

Director of the Minnesota Journalism Center; Associate Professor, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Session Chair

The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Coffee Break

10:10 AM – 10:40 AM

Talk: AI in Healthcare: Pursuing Patient-Centered Care in the Context of a Digital Divide

10:40 AM – 11:20 AM

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Dr. Paige Nong

Assistant Professor
Division of Health Policy & Management

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Ju Sun

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
UMN College of Science and Engineering

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Session Chair

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James Hollyer

Associate Professor
Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota

Session Chair

The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Talk: AI Governance, Legal, Business, and Practical Perspective

11:20 AM – 12:00 PM

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Steven Helland

Technology & Data Law Expert
Fredrikson & Byron

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Picture of Ju Sun

Ju Sun

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
UMN College of Science and Engineering

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Session Chair

Picture of James Hollyer

James Hollyer

Associate Professor
Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota

Session Chair

The Future of AI in Healthcare – From Innovation to Implementation

Networking Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Join us for refreshments and more networking opportunities.

Panel: Governance with Community Data

1:30 PM – 2:50 PM

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Jenny McBurney

Government Publications Librarian
University of Minnesota

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Moderator

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Kirsten Delegard

Project Director
Mapping Prejudice Project

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Reducing Clinician Cognitive Burden

  • How AI improves diagnostic accuracy and reduces variability in clinical decisions
  • Case studies: AI in radiology, pathology, and predictive analytics
  • Integrating AI into clinical workflows with minimal disruption
  • Addressing clinician resistance and fostering trust in AI systems
  • Gen AI use cases driving clinician efficiency and productivity
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Kari Williams

User Engagement Manager
IPUMS

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Jaideep Srivastava

UMN Computer Science & Engineering, Professor

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Eric Lind

Director, Accessibility Observatory at the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies

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Coffee Break

2:50 PM – 3:20 PM

Talk: Minnesota-Based Provider of HPC/AI Solutions and Nvidia’s Three-Computer Strategy for MedTech

3:20 PM – 4:00 PM

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Rui Zhang

Professor and Chief
Division of Computational Health Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School

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Moderator

Understanding Privacy and AI Governance: Challenges and Recent Developments

As artificial intelligence systems become increasingly embedded in daily life, their impact on privacy has emerged as a central challenge. This talk explores the evolving landscape of AI regulation, data protection, and ethical accountability. While AI development and deployment is often in tension traditional privacy principles such as data minimization and transparency, recent global policy developments are beginning to tackle these tradeoffs. The session aims to deepen understanding of the intersection between AI and privacy and offer insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working to develop responsible and transparent AI systems.

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Tom Morton

Senior HPC-/AI Account Executive
Nor-Tech

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Minnesota-Based Provider of HPC/AI Solutions

Nor-Tech builds and integrates turnkey high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to meet the most demanding workloads; from one-off solutions to technology for entire organizations. Nor-Tech is an NVIDIA Elite Partner, serving universities all around the country.

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Aaron Anderson

Sr. Manager, Healthcare & MedTech, NVIDIA

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The Future of Medical Devices: SW-defined, AI-enabled and Robotic

The medical device industry stands at the precipice of unprecedented innovation, driven by transformative advances in artificial intelligence and accelerated computing. NVIDIA, as a global leader in AI technology, is uniquely positioned to empower medical device companies to develop smarter, safer, and more personalized healthcare solutions. In this talk, we’ll explore the future of medical devices through the lens of AI, examining how NVIDIA’s strategic investments in hardware, software, and ecosystem partnerships are enabling R&D teams to rapidly translate breakthroughs from R&D to commercially available solutions. Learn how AI-powered technologies such as digital twins, real-time imaging analytics, and predictive device intelligence will shape the next generation of medical innovations