> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://med-techinsights.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The MedTech AI revolution starts with getting the foundations right - URL: https://med-techinsights.com/the-medtech-ai-revolution-starts-with-getting-the-foundations-right/ - Published: 2026-11-06T10:50:29.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-11T10:13:53.000Z - Description: As artificial intelligence creates new opportunities across every part of the medical technology industry, discussions at this year’s Veeva MedTech Summit in Amsterdam highlighted why successful adoption depends on more than technology alone. Data quality, regulatory governance and human expertise w - Author: Oliver Johnson - Tags: Insights, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health & AI ###### ***As artificial intelligence creates new opportunities across every part of the medical technology industry, discussions at this year’s*** [***Veeva MedTech***](https://www.veeva.com/medtech/?ref=med-techinsights.com) ***Summit in Amsterdam highlighted why successful adoption depends on more than technology alone. Data quality, regulatory governance and human expertise will all be essential to turning AI ambition into meaningful results.*** --- Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the possibilities for many industries. In MedTech, it is being used for streamlining regulatory processes to improving access to information and supporting more efficient operations. The potential of the technology is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. However, as discussions at this year’s Veeva MedTech Summit in Amsterdam demonstrated, the challenge facing MedTech organisations is not simply how quickly they can adopt AI, but whether they have the right foundations in place to use it effectively. Across presentations, panel discussions and interviews, a consistent message emerged: successful digital transformation requires organisations to address the fundamentals first, bringing together reliable data, consistent processes, appropriate governance and the people responsible for overseeing them. ###### **Getting the foundations right** One of the clearest examples came from Becki Brasher of Medtronic, who discussed the company’s four-year journey towards becoming ready to implement AI. Rather than beginning with the technology itself, Medtronic focused on establishing the organisational foundations needed to support it. This involved harmonising processes, improving data consistency, consolidating systems and establishing appropriate governance structures. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/98/19/9819191a-690e-400b-bf27-720adfd33f45/content/images/2026/11/19111-Rebecca-Brasher.jpg) Becki Brasher, Regulatory Affairs Director, Medtronic – Image: Veeva MedTech The importance of this groundwork was reflected in Brasher’s observation during her conference session: “We didn’t start with AI. We had to earn AI.” The approach demonstrates why introducing AI into fragmented or inconsistent environments can cause even more problems than you are trying to solve. Without reliable information and standardised processes, organisations risk producing outputs that are difficult to trust, validate or scale. Medtronic’s experience with AI also highlighted the importance of preparing employees for the changes ahead. Technology alone cannot deliver transformation; employees need the knowledge, confidence and appropriate oversight to incorporate new tools into their everyday responsibilities. ###### **Making governance part of innovation** Balancing technological innovation with regulatory compliance was another major theme, particularly during the summit’s closing keynote featuring Erik Orzechowski and Benjamin Rochette. They spoke about how as AI adoption accelerates, MedTech organisations must find ways to move quickly without compromising the quality, safety and regulatory standards expected of the industry. A key argument from the discussion was that governance should be embedded into technology development from the outset, rather than treated as a final compliance exercise. To achieve this, closer collaboration between IT, Quality and Regulatory teams will be required, according to Orzechowski and Rochette. IT teams understand the technology and its implementation, while Quality and Regulatory professionals help assess risks and determine the evidence required to demonstrate compliance. The speakers also emphasised the importance of proportionate governance. An AI application supporting relatively low-risk administrative activities does not necessarily require the same level of control as one influencing patient safety or regulatory decisions. By establishing clear responsibilities, risk assessments and appropriate controls early, organisations can create a more flexible approach that supports innovation without overlooking their obligations. The broader message was that compliance and innovation should not be viewed as opposing priorities. With the right structures in place, governance can help organisations move forward with greater confidence. ###### **Why human expertise still matters** Despite the growing capabilities of AI, the summit also highlighted the importance of retaining human judgement and professional expertise. In Brasher’s conference session, she made clear her opinion that AI should assist human reviewers rather than replace them. I asked her in our interview (to be published in the coming weeks) where does she believe that human judgement will remain essential as AI technologies get more sophisticated: “I think human judgement will stay in place as it is today until we can build up some trust that what we’re getting, what the agents are delivering is accurate.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/98/19/9819191a-690e-400b-bf27-720adfd33f45/content/images/2026/11/19111-IMG_6121.jpg) Hosting a webinar from one of the meeting rooms at the summit – Image: Med-Tech Insights AI can analyse large volumes of information, generate documentation and provide recommendations, but its outputs still require appropriate scrutiny. A convincing answer is not necessarily a correct one, particularly in a highly regulated environment. This is a theme I have encountered frequently in MedTech recently, and this topic was one we explored in our webinar with [Tarn Brown](https://med-techinsights.com/2026/08/20/leveraging-med-tech-compliance-as-a-competitive-strategy-tarn-brown/) and Jack Binnall from Columbus, titled: [*Everyone’s Talking About AI… Nobody’s Talking About Trust.*](https://streamyard.com/watch/jHyix8rsFt7A?ref=med-techinsights.com)Which I actually hosted remotely from a meeting room whilst at the Veeva MedTech Summit. Very meta. During the closing keynote, the speakers compared relying on AI without understanding its underlying subject matter to using a calculator without knowing the mathematics behind it. The analogy raises an important question for organisations: how can they introduce AI into everyday workflows without undermining the development of the expertise needed to assess its outputs? This is particularly relevant when considering the next generation of regulatory and quality professionals. If employees become accustomed to relying on AI to complete tasks before developing the necessary underlying knowledge, organisations could find themselves with fewer people capable of challenging inaccurate or inappropriate recommendations. The consensus was not that AI should be avoided, but that it should complement human expertise rather than replace it. AI can support research, analysis and documentation, but accountable individuals must retain responsibility for important decisions. ###### **Turning potential into measurable value** Another important consideration is ensuring that AI investments deliver genuine business value. With an increasing number of potential applications available, organisations need to resist the temptation to pursue every opportunity simultaneously. Instead, they should identify areas where technology can address existing operational challenges and establish clear measures of success. The closing keynote highlighted several ways to assess the value of AI, including time savings, reduced process cycle times, less rework, improved quality and employee adoption. Starting with controlled pilot projects can help organisations understand where AI is most effective, retain appropriate human oversight and build confidence before expanding successful applications. This approach is particularly important given the pace of technological development. The AI landscape will continue to evolve, meaning organisations need governance structures that can adapt alongside new capabilities and changing regulatory expectations. Ultimately, success will depend less on the number of AI initiatives an organisation launches and more on its ability to turn promising applications into reliable, scalable business capabilities. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/98/19/9819191a-690e-400b-bf27-720adfd33f45/content/images/2026/11/19111-Crowd-4.jpg) A big crowd for the day one opening keynote – Image: Veeva MedTechj ###### **A more connected future for MedTech** The discussions at the Veeva MedTech Summit reflected an industry increasingly aware that digital transformation is a collective challenge. Technology, regulatory compliance, data management and organisational culture cannot be addressed independently. Progress will require closer collaboration within companies, as well as continued engagement between manufacturers, technology providers, regulators and other industry stakeholders. The message from the summit was ultimately one of optimism, but also pragmatism. AI offers significant opportunities for medical technology, yet realising them requires patience, preparation and a clear understanding of where human expertise remains indispensable. As the closing keynote reinforced, sometimes organisations need to “slow down to speed up.” A phrase coined by Orzechowski, who I also had the pleasure of speaking with. By getting the foundations right today, the industry will be better positioned to embrace the technological opportunities of tomorrow. ###### Final thoughts ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/98/19/9819191a-690e-400b-bf27-720adfd33f45/content/images/2026/11/19111-1b710de1-d585-4884-a522-de8fcfdf75a8.jpg) Dinner with Jeremy and Elizabeth from Veeva as well as some fellow journalists. – Image: Med-Tech Insights This was different from any event I’d attended before. I always enjoy going to trade shows and doing interviews on the show floor, and that will never change, but it was a nice change of pace from constantly moving from one booth to the other with my equipment, and actually having the chance to sit down in a conference and take it all in. I left Amsterdam inspired, not just by the incredible work being done by all the companies involved in the presentations, but also by working alongside fellow journalists in the industry and bouncing ideas off each other. A rising tide lifts all boats. Keep an eye out for interviews coming soon from the summit, including a very high production video interview with Richard Holborow from BSI, which was a lot of fun to film. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/98/19/9819191a-690e-400b-bf27-720adfd33f45/content/images/2026/11/19111-Screenshot-2026-11-06-at-10.36.49.png) A still from my interiew with Richard Holborow, BSI – Image: Med-Tech Insights/Veeva MedTech