Co-Host, The Big Unlock Podcast
There’s something special about the first day at HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition 2026. The moment you step onto the floor, you can feel the collective energy of thousands of healthcare leaders, innovators, clinicians, and technologists all focused on one question: How do we transform healthcare through technology?
This year’s conference, taking place March 9–12 in Las Vegas, has brought together the global health IT ecosystem—from providers and payers to startups, investors, and technology companies—creating an unparalleled environment for learning, collaboration, and discovery.
One of the dominant themes today has been the evolution of AI in healthcare—from tools that simply generate insights to technologies that actually execute workflows and drive outcomes.
Across sessions and conversations, leaders are asking practical questions:
This is where we’re seeing a new generation of technologies emerge—AI agents and automation platforms that actively participate in care coordination, patient engagement, and operational processes.
The conversation is shifting from “What can AI analyze?” to “What can AI actually do?”
Another clear takeaway from Day 1 is that health systems are under enormous pressure to do more with less—address workforce shortages, improve access, and reduce administrative complexity.
Technology leaders are increasingly exploring solutions that:
In many ways, HIMSS has always been about the intersection of healthcare, technology, and operational transformation—but this year the urgency feels stronger than ever.
Healthcare organizations are not just exploring digital transformation anymore.
They are actively building AI-powered operating models.
One of the reasons HIMSS remains such a powerful gathering is the sheer scale of collaboration it enables.
The conference brings together tens of thousands of health IT professionals, executives, innovators, and solution providers, along with hundreds of educational sessions and technology showcases.
But beyond the sessions and the expo floor, what makes this event truly valuable are the conversations happening in hallways, networking events, and spontaneous meetings.
These conversations often spark the ideas that shape the next wave of healthcare innovation.
At The Big Unlock podcast, we’ve spent years speaking with healthcare leaders about the technologies shaping the future of the industry—from AI and data platforms to digital health innovation.
Day 1 at HIMSS has already reinforced a few important themes we’ve been seeing across the market:
Many of the most exciting conversations today have centered on how organizations can bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI innovation and real clinical or operational impact.
That’s where companies like BigRio focus—helping healthcare organizations design, build, and scale AI-driven digital solutions that solve real problems.
If Day 1 is any indication, HIMSS26 will be a week filled with meaningful conversations about the future of healthcare technology.
I’m particularly excited about:
And of course, connecting with colleagues, partners, and innovators who are all working toward the same goal: building a smarter, more accessible healthcare system.
If you’re attending HIMSS this week, I’d love to connect. These events are where ideas turn into collaborations—and collaborations turn into innovation.
More reflections from HIMSS26 coming soon.
“HLTH brings together the brightest minds in healthcare to drive real-world transformation through AI, data, and workflow innovation. The energy, collaboration, and actionable insights here are truly reshaping the future of care at scale.”
– Rohit Mahajan, Co-host of The Big Unlock Podcast
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