More Than Algorithms: Summary from the Networking Day on AI in Healthcare

Thinking Holistically

We have to focus on the people, patients, and citizens that AI is intended to benefit. We must integrate people, frameworks, technology, and innovation while ensuring healthcare professionals have the necessary skills. Additionally, ethical and future-oriented perspectives must be considered in the digital transformation process that AI can help propel forward. 

To explore these aspects, RAIN teamed up with the Danish Cancer Society’s Prevention Lab and the EU project Joint Action to Prevent NCDs to host more than 80 participants at a networking event in Odense on August 21, 2025, focusing on the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. 

The day highlighted how people, frameworks, technology, and innovation can create value when AI is integrated into prevention and health promotion. 

The Framework: AI Requires Awareness of People, Needs, and Trust

Two keynote speakers opened the event, each offering their perspective on how the healthcare sector can successfully create value with AI.

Stine Sønderby Bonde, Health Director in Odense Municipality, emphasized the importance of focusing on the challenges AI should address and how expert recommendations can be strategically incorporated into future prevention efforts.

Steen Svendsen, researcher and partner at Public Futures, presented four future scenarios for AI in the public sector, showcasing how understanding the potential and pitfalls of AI requires consideration of politics, trust, ethics, and community. He also posed fundamental questions: What is humanity? What is intelligence?

The Cases: From Patient Records to Early Detection

The event continued with several specific examples of how AI is currently being applied and tested in healthcare: 

AI Agent for Shared Decision-Making

Malte Lebahn-Hadidi, project manager at JA PreventNCD and the Centre for Shared Decision-Making at Lillebaelt Hospital, demonstrated how an AI agent can support learning and the implementation of shared decision-making through simulations, just-in-time learning, and personalized content. 

See the presentation by Malte Lebahn-Hadidi.

Dora – A Language Model for Patient Records

Pernille Just Vinholt, professor and chief physician at Blood Tests and Biochemistry in Odense University Hospital, showcased how Dora can quickly identify clinically relevant information in patient records, speeding up the process compared to traditional methods of information searching. 

AI in Health Promotion

Asger Elnegaard, Director of Data, Analytics, and AI at Liva Healthcare, described how AI can strengthen the relationship between users and counsellors in app-based prevention programs. AI can suggest questions, summarize conversations, and provide personalized feedback, supporting rather than replacing human connection.

PRO Data and Diabetes

Amar Nikontovic, Lead of Data, Health Economics, and Quality at Steno Diabetes Centre North Denmark, shared experiences with using patient-reported data in diabetes care. AI can contribute to early detection of complications, predict no-shows for appointments, and tailor interventions to the individual. 

Data Harmonisation and Cancer

Emil Høstrup, Innovation Consultant at Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark, presented on behalf of Claus Lohman Brasen (chief physician at Biochemistry and Immunology, Lillebaelt Hospital, and pilot project leader in Joint Action to Prevent NCDs). He presented the work on harmonising data from various sources for algorithms supporting early cancer detection.
This project is a part of the Joint Action PreventNCD, and it illustrates the need for large-scale data and national/international collaboration.

Group Discussions and Closing Remarks

The presentations were followed by group discussions focused on sharing knowledge and experiences. Each case presenter had their own stand, allowing them to elaborate further on their case.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and receive direct feedback, resulting in lively conversations as participants asked critical questions and shared their own practical experiences.

To conclude, Randi Lehmann Boesen, anthropologist and senior consultant at Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark, gave a presentation on the digital transformation and necessary competencies. She emphasized that AI is not merely technology but also a cultural shift that imposes new demands on employees and leaders.
She noted that without digital literacy, ethical reflection, and organizational trust, AI risks creating technostress instead of better solutions. AI development has the potential to enhance work satisfaction and collaboration if competency development and leadership are integrated from the beginning.

The networking day provided attendees with broad insights into future scenarios, competency needs, and concrete case, while fostering knowledge exchange across research, clinical practice, municipalities, and private actors. 

RAIN, together with Prevention Lab and Joint Action to Prevent NCDs, thanks all speakers and participants for an engaging day filled with valuable perspectives on how AI can help advance health promotion.