Artificial Intelligence in MedTech: Status Quo – From Startups to Corporates to Universities: How Switzerland is Advancing AI
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is actively transforming our economy, research landscape, and society. But where does Switzerland stand today? How are startups, established companies, and leading universities harnessing AI's potential? And how can these different actors collaborate effectively?
This evening seminar offers a multi-perspective view on the current state of AI in Switzerland – from agile innovation in startups to industrial implementation in corporates, and cutting-edge research at universities. The event is supported by the Bern Economic Development Agency, SITEM-Insel, and co-hosted with Swiss MedTech.
- Corporate Experience: Thomas Friese, CTIO of Straumann Group, will discuss how AI is transforming dental care worldwide by enhancing diagnostics and treatment planning, improving efficiency & predictability, and scaling patient benefits. He will address challenges of applying AI in dentistry, like trust and regulatory complexity, and how Straumann is bridging innovation with clinical practice to shape the future of digital dentistry.
- Startup Insights: Yossi Bar, Founder and CEO of LEM Surgical, will discuss how AI-enabled, multi-arm robotic platforms like the company’s Dynamis system are redefining hard-tissue (especially spine) surgery through advanced navigation, open instrument architecture, and emerging real-time decision support.
- Research & Translation: Professor Annie Hartley (LiGHT @ EPFL/Harvard) will explain Meditron: a model-agnostic pipeline for “medicalizing” LLMs and the MOOVE: a massive open online validation and evaluation platform for co-developing these tools with the medical doctors who will use them.
The evening will conclude with a cross-sector panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges of a national AI strategy that balances innovation with responsibility. Moderated by Adrian Hunn, Swiss MedTech, and Dr. Knut Sauer, Helbling Group.
Following the discussion, we warmly invite you to join us for an Apéro Riche.
We look forward to an inspiring and forward-looking exchange with you!
Warm regards
Knut Sauer, PhD Adrian Hunn
Head of Industrial AI Director
Helbling Group Swiss MedTech
Speakers
Thomas Friese PhD ( Straumann)
Thomas is CTO and CIO at Straumann and leads the group's #Tech organization, driving the development of their technology infrastructure, digital dental platform Straumann AXS and advancing their software development and AI initiatives.
Thomas served as Senior Vice President for the Digital Health Platform at Siemens Healthineers and holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Marburg.
Yossi Bar (LEM Surgical)
Yossi is the CEO and founder of LEM Surgical and a seasoned leader in the area of surgical robotics (ex-R&D Director at Mazor Robotics; former COO/VP R&D at Radiaction).
He comes from a mechanical-engineering/med-tech R&D background and pursued further Philosophy and Management studies at Tel-Aviv and Reichman Universities.
Annie Hartley, PhD, MPH, MD
(EPFL, Harvard Chan, Ashoka)
Annie leads the Laboratory for Intelligent Global Health and Humanitarian Response Technologies (LiGHT) based jointly at EPFL and Harvard Chan School of Public Health (Ariadne Labs), with a satellite presence in Rwanda’s AI Scaling Hub (C4IR) and Ashoka University’s Koita for Digital Health in India.
She’s a professor of AI and a medical doctor and is focused on the development, testing and implementation of accessible and context-adapted AI for clinical use in low resource settings.
Schedule
17:00-17:30 Welcome Drinks & Networking
17:30-19:00 Presentation & Panel Discussion
AI Experience from a Large Corporation.
Example: Straumann Group
Startup Perspective on AI.
Example: LEM Surgical
Academic Insight from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
Latest research and applications of AI in MedTech
Panel Discussion with all speakers and Knut Sauer
Moderator: Adrian Hunn, CEO of Swiss MedTech
from 19:00 Apéro Riche & Networking
Location and travel information
Hotel Schweizerhof
Bahnhofplatz 11, 3011 Bern
Google maps
Event details
Part of Swiss {ai} Weeks 2025 - Helbling is a Track Partner
Costs: The participation is free of charge.
The number of participants is limited.
Registrations will be considered in the order of reception.
Registration deadline: November 12, 2025
To register, please click on "Sign up here".
An automatic confirmation will be sent immediately to the email address provided in the form.
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