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Transforming Healthcare at the Intersection of AI and Medical Devices

Fri, June 13, 2025

The National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) final regional meeting of 2025 took place at Medtronic’s Mounds View campus on May 21. The theme, Transforming Healthcare at the Intersection of AI and Medical Devices, brought together leaders and innovators across fields to explore how artificial intelligence is a promising new tool in health outcomes, medical tools, and care systems. 

The day opened with a keynote from Omar Ishrak, former chairman and CEO of Medtronic, who delivered a high-level view of AI’s transformative potential in medicine. Framing AI and the human body as “ever-changing frontiers,” Ishrak emphasized that healthcare AI is just beginning but, if developed correctly, could lead to huge benefits in lifetime health. 
 



Lightning Talks: Innovation in Action 
 
The morning continued with a series of rapid-fire talks spotlighting applied innovation in neurology, implantables, and machine learning-enhanced therapy. 
 
Zhi Yang, associate professor at the University of Minnesota, introduced Fasiki, a cloud AI platform powering next-generation neurotech devices. Current products include a wearable for neural therapy and a brain-computer interface that enables real-time system interaction. Fasiki’s cloud-based model allows for scalable signal interpretation and personalized neurological support. 
 
Medtronic1.jpgPaul Gerrish, VP of technology development at Medtronic, pushed the audience to rethink conventional metrics for pain and healing. Challenging the limitations of the 1-to-10 pain scale, he outlined the development of smaller, smarter, and simpler implantable devices — moving toward less invasive, more intuitive technologies that integrate seamlessly with both patients and health systems. 
 
Tay Netoff, professor at the University of Minnesota, shared results from an AI-driven neuromodulation device used to treat spinal cord injuries. By building patient-specific “preference maps,” the system adjusts wave stimulation protocols to optimize therapeutic effects. In one compelling case, the approach enabled a patient to regain bladder function after 21 years — an outcome Netoff cited as evidence of AI’s power to customize and transform neurological care. 
 
Keynote 
 
Medtronic5.jpgDavid Rhew, global chief medical officer and VP of healthcare at Microsoft, delivered the afternoon keynote, calling for a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive healthcare. Rhew described the present-day system, which largely responds to symptoms only after they appear, and challenged attendees to envision a future in which AI enables earlier detection, targeted prevention, and continuous care. Rhew emphasized AI’s role in bridging access gaps, especially for two vulnerable populations: undiagnosed individuals, who are often overlooked due to systemic inequities, and diagnosed patients, who face challenges managing chronic conditions consistently. By embedding intelligence into workflows and clinical pathways, Rhew sees a future healthcare system that is not only smarter but also more equitable and resilient by design. 
 
Cross-Industry Panel: Collaboration as Catalyst 
 
The meeting concluded with a multidisciplinary panel featuring voices from Ecolab, Cargill, and 3M. Though representing different sectors, panelists found common ground in the shared promise — and shared obstacles — of integrating AI into regulated medical environments. 
 
Medtronic2.jpgPanelists discussed AI's ability to streamline processes, improve patient safety, and drive human-centered innovation. But they also pointed to persistent challenges, including cultural resistance, regulatory ambiguity, and the need for strong internal education around AI tools. One panelist summed up the moment this way: “This is the slowest time in innovation for the rest of our lives.” 
 
As healthcare AI accelerates, the panel underscored that collaboration — across disciplines and industries — will be essential to ensure progress is thoughtful, inclusive, and safe. 
 
Looking Ahead 
 
The 2025 NAE Regional Meeting with University of Minnesota and Medtronic made one thing clear: The future of healthcare will be shaped not just by algorithms or devices, but by the people who guide them. As AI continues to evolve, so must our ethical frameworks, regulatory systems, and collaborative networks. By placing patient needs at the center of innovation, the engineering community has the opportunity to build a healthcare future that is not only more advanced — but more human.