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TECHx
3 hours ago
- Health
- TECHx
Why Generative AI Isn't a Silver Bullet for Healthcare
Home » Smart Sectors » Healthcare » Why Generative AI Isn't a Silver Bullet for Healthcare Generative AI is revolutionizing healthcare, but challenges remain. Ashley Woodbridge, Lenovo CTO META, explores why it's no silver bullet. The healthcare sector is on the brink of a significant surge in AI investment, projected to rise by an astounding 169% over the next year – the highest increase among all industries surveyed in EMEA. The uptick follows the promising early results of AI projects, where a remarkable 74% of healthcare AI pilot projects have met or exceeded expectations, with 13% surpassing them. Yet, despite this positive momentum, only 2% of healthcare organisations have actively deployed AI at scale with the majority of initiatives remaining in the pilot or planning stages. This raises the question: how can the industry and its partners move beyond this plateau? What is Generative AI Doing? For most people, their experience of Generative AI (GenAI), has been through conversations with chatbots, creating new content or summarising data. These lighter use cases have highlighted numerous challenges that must be addressed before widespread adoption can occur, especially in highly regulated industries like healthcare. One of the primary obstacles identified in the region wide survey is data quality. AI models, including GenAI, are only as effective as the data they are trained on. In healthcare, data often exists in silos, across incompatible systems, and in formats that are difficult to interpret. There are also important patient data privacy considerations to take into account. Despite the complexity involved in sorting and standardising this data, the potential benefits of tackling these issues and making it useable by AI are immense. For example, tools like Epic's 'Slicerdicer' allow healthcare professionals to query large datasets through conversational interfaces, uncovering important trends in patient outcomes and informing better care. The depth of queries is particularly powerful, allowing healthcare providers to uncover trends amongst patients that share a condition or illness that may have otherwise remained hidden. Taking the technology in a different direction, AI-powered 'ambient digital scribes' are being trialled by NHS doctors in the UK. These systems listen to patient appointments and automatically generate clinical notes, saving hours of administrative work and helping to reduce burnout among medical staff. However, healthcare providers must tread carefully. Public sentiment towards AI in healthcare remains cautious. Only 28% of people aged over 60 feel comfortable with AI technologies being used in their care, and 75% of consumers overall want to be informed if AI is being used in their healthcare communications. Transparency is critical. For AI to enhance patient experience without undermining it, trust must be maintained. In countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, AI algorithms are enhancing radiology by assisting in the analysis of medical images, enabling quicker and more accurate detection of conditions such as lung cancer. Predictive analytics are being utilized for real-time patient monitoring, allowing healthcare providers to intervene early in critical situations. Generative AI is also making strides in drug discovery, particularly in Qatar, where researchers are modelling molecular interactions to accelerate the development of new therapies. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots and virtual health assistants are streamlining telemedicine services, providing preliminary diagnoses and scheduling appointments, thus improving access to care. AI's Role in Medical Research Beyond frontline care, GenAI is turbocharging work in the field of medical research. Earlier this year, a researcher at Imperial College London used an AI tool developed by Google to investigate why certain bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. In just 48 hours, the tool proposed four viable hypotheses, whereas it had taken scientists over a decade to finalise just a single hypothesis manually. The result was so astonishing that the original researcher initially suspected the AI had accessed unpublished work on his personal computer, which was proven not to have been the case. These breakthroughs are being made possible thanks to the high-performance computing systems behind increasingly powerful AI models. At Lenovo, we are proud to partner with the Broad Institute on genome analysis, helping researchers accelerate one of the most data-intensive tasks in science. The Lenovo Genomics Optimization and Scalability Tool (GOAST) reduces the time needed to analyse a whole human genome from over 100 hours to just 47 minutes. Other organizations are also harnessing advanced AI and computing tools to push the boundaries of healthcare. Hungarian company 3DHISTECH, for example, uses Lenovo's AMD Threadripper-powered ThinkStation P620 workstations to build detailed 3D virtual models of human and non-human tissue. These models can zoom in to the level of individual chromosomes, enabling new frontiers in digital pathology. Their systems are used by institutions around the world, including Harvard Medical School, Novartis, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Notably, a 3DHISTECH system played a pivotal role in diagnosing the first COVID-19 patient in China, demonstrating how AI-enabled technology can impact global health crises. The Human Element Remains Crucial While AI offers compelling advantages, it's important to remember that technology alone isn't the answer. The human touch in healthcare remains indispensable. Healthcare providers must ensure transparency in their AI implementations and address data quality issues to fully reap the benefits of AI. By doing so, they can enhance patient care, reduce burnout among medical staff, and drive groundbreaking research, all without sacrificing the trust and comfort of those they serve. In conclusion, the healthcare industry stands at the brink of an AI-driven revolution. With thoughtful implementation and a focus on maintaining trust, AI has the potential to transform healthcare for the better. The journey won't be without its challenges, but the rewards promise to be well worth the effort. By Ashley Woodbridge, CTO, Lenovo, META
CNBC
18 hours ago
- CNBC
Best adventure travel insurance of 2025
Travel insurance can be a huge help, even if you plan to just lounge by the pool. But if you've signed up for mountain biking, rock climbing or a jungle safari, you'll want adventure travel coverage. An adventure travel add-on to your standard travel insurance policy extends coverage to activities that are usually excluded. That includes medical coverage for injuries sustained in high-risk activities and reimbursement for the damage or loss of any specialty gear. CNBC Select reviewed more than 20 travel insurance carriers with adventure travel benefits and picked the best for cost, coverage, availability, claims filing and more. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.) Faye has one single-trip plan with optional add-ons for pet care, adventure sports and damage to vacation rentals. Emergency medical: $250,000Medical evacuation: $500,000Personal effects: $150 per item (up to $2,000 total) Up to 75% reimbursement of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit. Available if policy is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit. Who's this for? Starting at just over $5 a day, Faye's plans automatically cover dozens of activities like white water rafting, skiing, horseback riding, kayaking and mountain climbing. Standout benefits: Feeling more daring? The Adventure & Extreme Sports endorsement adds parachuting, bullriding and other daredevil activities. Faye will also cover up to $2,500 in emergency veterinary expenses or up to $250 in additional kenneling costs. Silver, Gold and Platinum plans with add-ons including a collision damage waiver (for Gold and Platinum), lost ski days or golf rounds and CFAR insurance (for Platinum plan) Emergency medical: $250,000 for Platinum PlanMedical evacuation: $1 million for Platinum PlanPersonal effects: $500 per item, up to $3,000 total Add-on with Platinum plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if you purchase within 14 days of booking ($50,000 maximum). Available with Gold and Platinum plans if purchased within 14 days of trip deposit. Who's this for? AXA Assistance USA's Platinum Plan reimbursers you for missed ski days, prepaid lessons and lift tickets if your ski trip gets derailed by closed trails, inclement weather or insufficient snow. Standout benefits: The Platinum Plan also offers a collision damage waiver, which can be helpful if you're planning to rent a car to get to the slopes. Standard, Explorer, Epic single-trip plans and annual/multi-trip plan, with CFAR available for top-tier policiesEmergency medical: $125,000 for Standard Plan, $150,000 for Explorer Plan, $250,000 for Epic PlanMedical evacuation: $400,000 for Standard Plan, $500,000 for Explorer Plan, $700,000 for Epic PlanPersonal effects: $1,000 for Standard Plan, $2,000 for Explorer Plan, $3,000 for Epic Plan Add-on for Explorer and Epic plans that covers 75% of nonrefundable costs if purchased seven days before initial deposit. (Not available in New York.) Available with Explorer and Epic plans purchased seven days before first deposit. Who's this for? World Nomads' Explorer Plan covers more than 200 thrill-seeking activities, including free-style skiing, ice climbing, hang gliding and shark-cage diving. The top-tier Epic Plan is aimed at bucket-list adventures like glacier walking and deep-sea diving. Standout benefits: World Nomads lets you buy a policy even after you've started your trip, with coverage starting the very next day. Single-trip and multi-trip/annual policies and cruise insurance. Add-ons include Cancel for Any Reason coverage and a travel inconvenience benefit Emergency medical: $50,000 for Essential Plan, $250,000 for Deluxe Plan, $500,000 for Platinum PlanMedical evacuation: $200,000 for Essential Plan, $500,000 for Deluxe Plan, $1 million for Platinum PlanPersonal effects: $750 for Essential Plan, $1,500 for Deluxe Plan, $2,500 for Platinum Plan ($250 per item) Add-on to Worldwide Trip Protector Deluxe or Platinum plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable costs when purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment Available if policy is purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit. Who's this for? Travel Insured International's plans offer up to $500,000 for medical expenses and $1 million for evacuation, higher than most competitors. While most travel insurance excludes dental care, Travel Insured International covers up to $750 worth of emergency treatment. Standout benefits: The Worldwide Trip Protector Platinum plan comes with an optional extreme sports medical upgrade that lifts the exclusion if you ride or drive in any races or participate in speed or endurance competitions. Basic, mid-level and top-tier plans, plus policies just for flights, cruises and adventure travel. There are no add-ons but the LuxuryCare plan includes an option to upgrade to CFAR coverage. Add-on to LuxuryCare plan that reimburses 50% of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 15 days of booking Available with any plan purchased within 14 days of trip deposit. Who's this for? Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's AdrenalineCare plan reimburses up to $500 if your golf or other sporting gear is delayed more than six hours. If your equipment is lost, you can get reimbursed up to $1,500. Standout benefits: AdrenalineCare covers $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and $750,000 in evacuation coverage. A pre-existing condition waiver is available if purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit. Travel insurance typically covers common inconveniences like canceled, interrupted and delayed trips, as well as delayed or lost luggage, unexpected medical expenses and emergency evacuations. Most standard policies exclude losses or injuries resulting from high-risk activities, but you may be able to add an adventure travel rider or upgrade your plan and get covered for things like: The list of activities varies by carrier and there may be limits on certain approved activities, like coverage for scuba diving that is limited to a certain depth. Even the most generous insurance policy will exclude certain activities. Again, these will vary by carrier, but often include: Travel to certain destinations may also be excluded, including active war zones, sites of natural disasters and destinations the U.S. has issued travel advisories against, like North Korea and Cuba. Your insurance company is assuming more risk, so whether you choose add-on coverage or an upgraded plan, covering adventure travel is more expensive than a standard policy. According to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth, the average adventure travel insurance policy costs about $27 per day. For a 15-day trip, that works out to be about $408. However, your exact cost will vary based on the activities you need to cover, your age, and how much coverage you're getting. Below, we compared the cost of a standard policy with one including adventure travel coverage for a 30-year-old visiting the United Kingdom for a week. Adventure travel insurance covers high-risk activities most standard policies exclude, like sky diving and rock climbing. It can be obtained as an add-on to a traditional plan or as a specialty policy. Skiing is covered by most travel insurance companies, although some include it with a basic plan and others require policyholders to purchase an add-on. Read your policy documents to see if it's included automatically by your provider. Each provider has its own list of excluded activities and approved activities may be restricted to certain elevations or depths. In addition, participation in professional athletics and injuries resulting from drug or alcohol use or from intentional self-harm are almost never covered. Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 50 data points on more than 10 travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. To determine the best adventure travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed more than 10 top providers based on cost, coverage options, add-ons, customer service, and the variety of activities and sports they cover. We looked for companies that included adventure activities in their offerings, prioritizing those that included them in base policies. We also considered gear or equipment coverage policies and prioritized brands that offered high medical limits. We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools. Based on these criteria, our picks for the best adventure travel insurance are:
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Epique Realty Triumphs Reaching Nationwide Presence, Announces Expansion to All 50 States at PowerCON 2025
Keynote Speaker Simon T. Bailey Declares the Epique Agent-First Movement "Legendary," Citing Company's "Heart" as Key to Explosive Growth NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / June 27, 2025 / In the most significant announcement in its meteoric history, Epique Realty confirmed that it has achieved a full national footprint, with brokerage operations now officially available in all 50 U.S. states. And the packed audience was completely enthralled on the first day of its annual PowerCON conference held at the iconic Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. The historic milestone, achieved in less than three years, marks the company's transformation from a disruptive Texas startup into a national powerhouse, validating its agent-first model on a coast-to-coast scale. All three Epique Co-Founders, CEO Josh Miller, CFO Janice Delcid and COO Christopher Miller made a unified announcement: "Less than three years ago, Epique was an idea. Today, it is a national movement. Reaching all 50 states is not just a measure of growth; it is proof of our philosophy. It proves that when you build a brokerage that genuinely works for the agent with a culture of radical generosity at its core, there are no limits. This achievement belongs to every agent who believed in a better way." The power of that culture was the central theme of the day's electrifying keynote address from the incomparable Author Simon T. Bailey. He ignited the room with his message on mindset and momentum, but his most powerful observation was his simplest: "Epique has heart." Bailey explained that the company's name, the French spelling for "Epic," also carries the meaning of "Legendary"-a status he believes Epique is achieving precisely because its culture is changing industry standards from the inside out. The 50-state announcement, together with transformative sessions and Bailey's unforgettable insights, cemented Day 1 as a landmark moment for the company and its agents. Stay tuned-Day 2 is here and promises to deliver more incredible announcements, free benefits, and resources that fuel agent success. As Day 2 begins, the message is clear: the future doesn't wait, and the Epique movement is just getting started. About Epique Realty Epique Realty is a trailblazing, agent-first real estate brokerage committed to empowering its agents through a comprehensive suite of free resources and benefits including extraordinary support, award-winning AI technology, and a culture of radical generosity that fuels agent success. By questioning industry norms and putting agents at the center of its universe, Epique is not just transforming the real estate market-it is defining the future. #BeEpiqueLearn more at Barbara Simpson | PR and Communications 281-773-7842 | Barbara@ SOURCE: Epique Realty
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Epique Realty Triumphs Reaching Nationwide Presence, Announces Expansion to All 50 States at PowerCON 2025
Keynote Speaker Simon T. Bailey Declares the Epique Agent-First Movement 'Legendary,' Citing Company's 'Heart' as Key to Explosive Growth NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / June 27, 2025 / In the most significant announcement in its meteoric history, Epique Realty confirmed that it has achieved a full national footprint, with brokerage operations now officially available in all 50 U.S. states. And the packed audience was completely enthralled on the first day of its annual PowerCON conference held at the iconic Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. The historic milestone, achieved in less than three years, marks the company's transformation from a disruptive Texas startup into a national powerhouse, validating its agent-first model on a coast-to-coast scale. All three Epique Co-Founders, CEO Josh Miller, CFO Janice Delcid and COO Christopher Miller made a unified announcement: 'Less than three years ago, Epique was an idea. Today, it is a national movement. Reaching all 50 states is not just a measure of growth; it is proof of our philosophy. It proves that when you build a brokerage that genuinely works for the agent with a culture of radical generosity at its core, there are no limits. This achievement belongs to every agent who believed in a better way.' The power of that culture was the central theme of the day's electrifying keynote address from the incomparable Author Simon T. Bailey. He ignited the room with his message on mindset and momentum, but his most powerful observation was his simplest: 'Epique has heart.' Bailey explained that the company's name, the French spelling for 'Epic,' also carries the meaning of 'Legendary"-a status he believes Epique is achieving precisely because its culture is changing industry standards from the inside out. The 50-state announcement, together with transformative sessions and Bailey's unforgettable insights, cemented Day 1 as a landmark moment for the company and its agents. Stay tuned-Day 2 is here and promises to deliver more incredible announcements, free benefits, and resources that fuel agent success. As Day 2 begins, the message is clear: the future doesn't wait, and the Epique movement is just getting started. About Epique Realty Epique Realty is a trailblazing, agent-first real estate brokerage committed to empowering its agents through a comprehensive suite of free resources and benefits including extraordinary support, award-winning AI technology, and a culture of radical generosity that fuels agent success. By questioning industry norms and putting agents at the center of its universe, Epique is not just transforming the real estate market-it is defining the future. #BeEpique Learn more at Barbara Simpson | PR and Communications 281-773-7842 | [email protected] SOURCE: Epique Realty press release
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Fortnite players ‘tricked' into unwanted purchases are being refunded — here's how to apply
PHILADELPHIA — The US Federal Trade Commission is sending out the latest round of refunds to consumers it says were 'tricked' into purchases they didn't want from Fortnite maker Epic Games — and eligible players who haven't been compensated yet still have time to apply. In an announcement this week, the FTC said it was distributing more than 969,000 refunds totaling over $126 million to consumers on Wednesday and Thursday. That follows the regulator's first round of payments amounting to more than $72 million, which went out in December 2024. The FTC is sending out payments to consumers who claim they were 'tricked' into making purchases in the video game Fortnite. marinv – The refunds are part of a $520 million settlement that Epic agreed to pay back in 2022 — to address complaints revolving around children's privacy and payment methods on its popular Fortnite video game. At the time, the FTC had alleged that the gaming giant used deceptive online design tactics to trick Fortnite players, including children, into making unintended purchases 'based on the press of a single button.' Consumers could be charged while doing something as simple as attempting the wake the game from sleep mode, for example, or by pressing a nearby button when trying to preview an item, the agency said. The FTC also accused Epic of blocking some users who disputed the charges from accessing the content they purchased. Beyond a $275 million fine related to collecting personal information for players under the age of 13, the settlement, which was finalized in 2023, included $245 million in customer refunds. Charlie Gasparino has his finger on the pulse of where business, politics and finance meet Sign up to receive On The Money by Charlie Gasparino in your inbox every Thursday. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Between December's payments and the refunds sent out this week, about $198 million of that has been sent out — leaving roughly $47 million left to be distributed. The latest refunds are being doled out to consumers who filed a valid claim before Feb. 14 — meaning that any claims filed after that date are still under review, according to the FTC. And the FTC also says it's reopening the claims process. Eligible consumers who have not been compensated yet now have until July 9 to file a claim. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! If accepted, the refunds come in the form of checks or PayPal payments. To apply and learn more about the settlement, users should visit the FTC's website. People who are eligible for these payouts include Fortnite players who were charged in-game currency for items they didn't want or saw their account locked after complaining to a credit card company about wrongful charges between January 2017 and September 2022 — as well as parents whose kids made charges on their credit cards without their knowledge from January 2018 through November 2018. The Associated Press reached out to Epic for comment on Thursday. At the time the settlement was announced in December 2022, Epic said it accepted the agreement because it wanted 'to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players.' The Cary, North Carolina-based company added that it was already rolling out changes 'to ensure our ecosystem meets the expectations of our players and regulators, which we hope will be a helpful guide for others in our industry.'
