Two years ago, at HIMSS, almost no one in healthcare was talking about generative AI

Today at HIMSS 2026, it’s everywhere.

-Entire pre-conference tracks dedicated to healthcare + AI.
-Microsoft is hosting full AI events.
-Massive booths from Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, and Google.

Even national technology delegations, such as Taiwan’s, are showcasing healthcare innovation.

Bobo tea at the Taiwan Experience.

The shift in just two years is remarkable.

But something happened today that meant even more to me personally.

While sitting in the press room, I ran into a journalist who has been covering health tech for a long time. He remembered me from HIMSS a couple of years ago and said something I’ll never forget:

“You were one of the people who lit the flame here.”

Now, the reality is this movement is much bigger than any one person. Thousands of people are working hard to advance healthcare.

But hearing that… and then walking the floor and seeing AI now at the center of HIMSS… was a special moment.

Aashima Gupta, Global Director of Healthcare Strategy & Solutions, Google Cloud.

A few other highlights:

• Meeting leaders from Taiwan working on healthcare technology and cross-border collaboration with the U.S.
• Incredible conversations with innovators building the next generation of healthcare platforms
• Sitting in the Executive Summit alongside leaders from organizations like AdventHealth and many others, doing meaningful work in healthcare

Moments like this make you pause.

For most of my career, I’ve worked at the intersection of technology, community, and healthcare, building communities, sharing ideas, and advancing innovation.

Seeing AI move from early conversation to real momentum in healthcare is something I feel incredibly grateful to witness.

And even more grateful to be part of the community helping shape what comes next.

#HIMSS26 #HealthcareAI #HealthTech #AIinHealthcare #HIMSS