A federal research arm whose normal work involves developing aerospace warfighting technologies is turning its talents to deploying explainable AI in the war against COVID-19.

The World Economic Forum has released its 2020 list of 100 tech companies from which to expect big things. Seven of the 100 are in healthcare and, of these, three are based in the U.S.

A developer of software used in orthopedic surgery has demonstrated the utility of AI-aided fluoroscopy guidance for operating on orthopedic trauma patients.

Researchers have successfully piloted the use of augmented reality for guiding tumor ablation, completing the treatment in five patients with cancers of the liver.

Higher research and development costs are driving a need for pharmaceutical companies to leverage AI to optimize the drug discovery process––and some companies are doing so better than others.

The COVID crisis has driven mental-health issues into the medical matrix at the population level. AI may be able to help. 

What the five have in common are software products aimed at helping providers improve patient engagement by leveraging AI. The recognized companies also meet IDC’s criteria for having revenues below $100 million.

Healthcare AI companies of all sizes need patient data to design their products and make their fortunes. Big healthcare providers have the data and need the tech partners to help advance modern medicine.