AI is turning medical devices into learning systems, Google Cloud exec says

Editor's Note

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving medical technology from reactive tools to adaptive learning systems, Medical Device Network October 6 reports. Shweta Maniar, Google Cloud’s global director of healthcare and life sciences, said that advances in agentic AI are enabling medtech devices to anticipate patient needs, simplify operations, and extend specialist expertise beyond major hospitals.

As detailed in the article, Maniar explained that AI agents are beginning to autonomously manage patient interactions, such as helping individuals understand implant options and qualify for assistance programs during high-demand periods like year-end insurance resets. By embedding intelligence into devices themselves, these systems can track how patients heal and adjust recommendations in real time. “Implants with monitoring capabilities will be able to track how your body reacts, how you heal, and when it’s safe to return to activities,” Maniar told the outlet, adding the collected data will refine future device generations.

She described this shift as one from “reactive devices to learning systems,” where AI-powered oversight replaces manual compliance and democratizes access to clinical expertise. Rather than displacing specialists, AI tools expand their reach, supporting diagnostic and treatment decisions in rural and underserved areas.

According to GlobalData, AI in healthcare is projected to reach a $19 billion valuation by 2027, reflecting the technology’s rapid integration into the care continuum. The article noted that Maniar’s vision aligns with broader initiatives, including the UK’s ongoing NHS transformation plans, which position AI as key to moving from sickness management to preventative care. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has launched an AI commission to accelerate adoption, while in the US, the Food and Drug Administration has begun using its own internal AI tool, Elsa, to support staff.

The growing use of AI also raises privacy and compliance challenges. Legal experts cautioned in states such as Florida, physicians using AI tools that record or analyze patient encounters must secure consent. Transparency remains essential, said attorney Shannon Hartsfield of Holland & Knight, noting that users should be informed when they are interacting with AI rather than a human clinician.