Episodes

  • Would you put an implant in your brain? BCI with Paradromics CMO

    Would you put an implant in your brain? BCI with Paradromics CMO
    Oct 30 2025
    Stephen Ryu, a neurosurgeon and key figure in the Stanford Neuroprosthetics Lab joins Tjaša Zajc on Faces of Digital Health to demystify brain–computer interfaces (BCIs): how they work, why invasive systems outperform non-invasive ones, realistic use cases (motor control and speech), timelines and durability, safety and MRI trade-offs, cybersecurity, business models, and what Paradromics is building as a high-bandwidth BCI platform. Throughout, Stephen separates science fact from sci-fi, stressing near-term potential to restore communication and movement for people living with paralysis, while noting earlier-stage areas like mental health and pain. What we cover: - Invasive vs. non-invasive BCIs, and why electrode proximity to neurons matters for performance - Decoding motor intent and speech: training, language considerations, and LLM-enabled synthesis - Safety, surgery, and durability (why 10-year implant lifespans are a meaningful target) - MRI/CT compatibility trade-offs (and parallels to pacemakers/DBS) - Cybersecurity realities (what BCIs can not do today) - Business models, regulation, and reimbursement paths for medical-grade BCIs - Paradromics’ differentiation: a high-bandwidth platform designed to scale across use cases - Future indications: pain, sensory restoration; earlier stage: mental health biomarkers - The human impact: restoring connection for people who can’t move or speak Chapters: 01:37 How BCIs work; signals, decoding, invasive vs. non-invasive 07:13 Surgery basics, risks, and why proximity boosts performance 09:36 Decoding speech & language considerations 13:31 What’s most advanced today: motor + speech 14:58 Mental health: biomarkers and why it’s early 17:48 Longevity, MRI/CT limits, realistic replacement intervals 21:16 Patient perception: fear, performance, and value vs. alternatives 25:04 Paradromics’ platform & high-bandwidth approach 29:22 Platform use cases by brain area (motor, auditory, etc.) 31:18 Cybersecurity: risks today vs. sci-fi 32:35 Business models, regulation, and access 36:42 Trials landscape; Paradromics’ timeline 37:53 Biggest concerns: hype vs. reality 39:50 Three things everyone should know about BCIs 42:10 Potential in pain management 44:41 Role of AI/ML in decoding and assistive apps 46:36 Final thoughts www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
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    48 mins
  • Reenita Das on AI, Empathy, and UAE Healthcare

    Reenita Das on AI, Empathy, and UAE Healthcare
    Oct 17 2025
    In this interview, healthcare futurist Reenita Das, Partner at Frost&Sulivan, Healthcare Changemaker, voted top 100 women in Healthtech and Femtech, reflects on the balance between rapid digital health innovation and the human side of care. Speaking from WHX Tech in Dubai, she highlights why empathy, kindness, and caregiving remain essential despite the rise of AI. She also shares insights on the UAE healthcare system—its sophistication, inequities for migrant workers, and opportunities in mental health and digital innovation. Drawing from her experience in 10+ healthcare systems worldwide, Reenita compares global approaches and emphasizes food and lifestyle as drivers of health outcomes. 00:00 – Introduction and reflections on WHX Tech conference 01:00 – Why the human side of healthcare is more important than ever 02:30 – Risks of AI reducing clinician-patient time 03:30 – What AI can and cannot do in healthcare 05:00 – UAE healthcare system: sophistication and inequities 06:30 – Migrant workers and challenges of access to care 07:00 – Comparing healthcare systems across the US, Japan, and India 08:30 – Food and lifestyle as drivers of health outcomes 09:30 – Digital health opportunities in the UAE (mental health, diagnostics, aggregation) 10:30 – Misconceptions about women, culture, and technology in the UAE 11:30 – Advice for startups entering the region www.facesofdigitalhealth.com https://fodh.substack.com/
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    16 mins
  • Digital Dentistry + UAE: Most Digitally Connected Place on Earth (Sam Shah)

    Digital Dentistry + UAE: Most Digitally Connected Place on Earth (Sam Shah)
    Oct 16 2025
    Dr. Sam Shah is a clinician, advisor, and former startup founder. At WHX Tech he sat down with Tjasa Zajc to discuss the future of dentistry, oral health, and broader digital health innovation. He explains why dentistry has lagged behind other specialties, how oral health connects to overall wellbeing, and why the UAE stands out as “the most digitally connected place on the planet.” Sam highlights government-backed sandboxes, integration engines, and lessons other countries can learn from the Emirates—while also pointing to persistent challenges in standards, interoperability, and prevention. Show notes: 00:00 – Introduction and Sam’s journey from dentistry to digital health 01:00 – Innovations in dentistry: apps, smart toothbrushes, imaging AI 02:00 – Why dentistry lags behind in digital adoption 03:00 – Oral health and its impact on overall health and wellbeing 04:00 – The social determinants of oral health 05:00 – Career across multiple domains: public health, startups, law, economics 06:00 – Why global solutions can’t simply be “lifted and shifted” 07:30 – What makes the UAE stand out: digital connectivity and government support 08:30 – Key government initiatives: Malaffi and Dubai Sandbox 10:00 – Cooperation between federal and emirate levels 11:00 – Lessons for other countries: leadership that listens 12:00 – Areas for improvement: standards, interoperability, prevention 13:00 – Longevity, wellness, and the need for value-based care
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    19 mins
  • Why Free Apps Are Never Free: Cybersecurity Lessons with Leila Taghizade

    Why Free Apps Are Never Free: Cybersecurity Lessons with Leila Taghizade
    Oct 4 2025
    At WHX Tech, cybersecurity expert Dr Leila Taghizade, Group Head of Cyber Risk Management / CISO IberoLatAm at Allianz, breaks down what every individual—and every hospital—should know about protecting themselves in 2025. From the basics of stronger passwords and two-factor authentication to the risks of free apps and third-party tools, she explains in clear terms why “there’s no such thing as free lunch” in cybersecurity. Leila also highlights the dangers of phishing, the vulnerability of medical devices, and how AI both helps defenders and lowers the cost of attacks. Show Notes 00:00 – Introduction: why cybersecurity basics matter in 2025 00:30 – Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, limiting app permissions 02:00 – Giving apps only the access they really need 03:00 – Cybersecurity in healthcare: medical devices as weak links 04:30 – Default passwords and firmware updates as major risks 05:30 – Phishing: why reporting is critical for protection 07:00 – Everyday cyber hygiene: logging out, password managers 08:30 – AI’s impact on cybersecurity: lowering cost of attacks, improving defense 10:00 – The risks of free apps and third-party tools 11:00 – Data leaks and how AI tools may unintentionally share information 12:30 – AI as a double-edged sword: prevention vs. risk 14:00 – Final advice: caution doesn’t mean fear, but informed use www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
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    18 mins
  • From Taboo to Treatment: Digital Interventions for Women’s Sexual Health

    From Taboo to Treatment: Digital Interventions for Women’s Sexual Health
    Sep 20 2025
    Did you know that  the lifetime prevalence for experiencing a sexual problem is above 70% for women and 55% for men? And when we talk about the problem in conjunction with the distress, it's 25% in women and around 20% in men. So one in four women has the problem right now they are silently suffering because of various issues - challenges discussing issues with their doctor, inadequate awareness among physicians and more. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, we dive into a topic often overlooked in healthcare: women’s sexual health and sexual distress. Clinical psychologist and sex therapist from Charite, Berlin Selina Marie Kronthaler discusses the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, why sexual distress is still underdiagnosed, and the impact on relationships and quality of life. We explore how digital health tools and evidence-based interventions are being developed to support women in navigating sexual pain, arousal disorders, and emotional challenges in a private, accessible way. The conversation highlights the gaps in current healthcare training, the role of gynecologists, and why femtech innovation and funding are critical to addressing an underserved area that affects 1 in 4 women. E-Mail: selina.kronthaler@charite.de Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selina.kronthaler/ (German Therapy Website: https://www.selinakronthaler.de/) www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
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    42 mins
  • AI replacing radiologists: Was the prediction right, just the timeline wrong? John Nosta, Shafi Ahmed

    AI replacing radiologists: Was the prediction right, just the timeline wrong? John Nosta, Shafi Ahmed
    Sep 11 2025
    In this thought-provoking conversation, surgeon Shafi Ahmed and digital health futurist John Nosta revisit Geoffrey Hinton’s bold 2016 prediction that radiologists would soon be replaced by AI. 🔍 Topics covered: Why AI hasn’t replaced radiologists yet—and what’s holding it back The role of large language models in diagnostics and clinical practice The debate over accuracy, intuition, and the “art” of medicine Accountability and liability when AI makes mistakes in healthcare The deeper question: is AI truly intelligent, or does it think in a way fundamentally different from humans? 💡 Shafi and John don’t always agree—but together they explore the future of medicine, the limits of technology, and the ethical, clinical, and philosophical challenges that will define healthcare in the AI era. 02:02 Introduction and Debate Overview 02:17 AI in Radiology: Predictions vs. Reality 04:00 Challenges in AI Implementation 06:32 Generative AI in Clinical Practice 08:50 Ethical and Regulatory Concerns 10:19 Philosophical Perspectives on AI 16:39 Accountability in AI-Driven Healthcare 19:57 AI's Cognitive Differences and Impact on Healthcare 21:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
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    25 mins
  • How India is Building the World’s Largest Digital Health Ecosystem for 1.5 billion people?

    How India is Building the World’s Largest Digital Health Ecosystem for 1.5 billion people?
    Sep 3 2025
    India’s journey in digital health began just over a decade ago, yet it has quickly grown into one of the most ambitious transformations worldwide. It started in 2012 with maternal and child health programs, expanded to cover non-communicable diseases, and gained momentum with the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in 2020. At the heart of ABDM is the ABHA ID—a unique 14-digit health identifier for every citizen. Combined with registries for facilities and professionals, and a consent-based health information exchange, India has laid the groundwork for a truly interoperable system. So far, over 800 million ABHA IDs have been created. Yet, only around 20% of facilities and professionals are onboarded, with adoption challenges in the private sector. Ritesh Aeron is a distinguished digital health expert and program management specialist with a strong track record of driving large-scale health systems transformation through digital innovation. He currently serves as a Director at the Equitable Global Healthcare Foundation (EGHF), a role he has held since April 2025. In this discussion he explains: What is the current state of healthcare digitalization in India? How did India’s digital health journey start and evolve? What is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and how does it work? What is the ABHA ID and why is it important? How does interoperability and consent-based data exchange function? How many people and facilities are onboarded so far? What challenges remain in adoption and regulation? How is data being used for population health and surveillance? What role does AI and innovation play in care delivery? How open is the Indian market for global providers? How is AI affecting both healthcare delivery and the software workforce?
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • From Burnout to Balance: How EHR Culture and AI Are Reshaping Clinician Experience (Coray Tate,KLAS)

    From Burnout to Balance: How EHR Culture and AI Are Reshaping Clinician Experience (Coray Tate,KLAS)
    Aug 22 2025
    Healthcare technology has long promised efficiency, but for many clinicians, the reality has been different: burnout, frustration, and time stolen from patient care. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, Tjasa Zajc spoke with Coray Tate, VP of Clinical Research at KLAS Research, about what the data actually reveals about burnout, electronic health records (EHRs), and the role of new technologies like ambient speech and AI. Key takeaways: Culture matters more than technology choice. The Arch Collaborative found that execution and organizational support around EHRs matter more than the specific vendor. Burnout isn’t primarily caused by EHRs. Instead, clinicians report that feeling unheard and disconnected from leadership drives dissatisfaction. The Middle East stands out. Collaboration-focused cultures there show significantly lower burnout rates than the U.S. or Europe. Ambient speech is delivering results. Across ~25 health systems, burnout rates dropped by 12% after adopting ambient documentation tools. AI will redefine expectations. We are at the cusp of moving from “taskmaster” EHRs to supportive assistants that reduce cognitive load and help clinicians reclaim personal time. The future of healthcare technology isn’t just about smarter systems — it’s about listening, collaborating, and ensuring that innovations help clinicians live better lives inside and outside the hospital. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZAhDhrNZu0
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    38 mins