AI @ HLTH: ZS Aims to Improve Life Through Healthcare Innovation

In this conversation of AI @ HLTH, Sandy Vance speaks with Pratap Khedkar, CEO of ZS, about the pressing issues in healthcare, particularly the scarcity of providers and the potential of AI to create healthcare abundance. They discuss the gaps in the current healthcare system, the global provider shortage, and the role of AI in addressing these challenges. Pratap emphasizes the importance of trust in AI, the need for regulatory frameworks, and shares real-world use cases of AI improving patient care and clinical trials. The conversation concludes with a look ahead to ZS's vision for the future of healthcare and the integration of AI.

In this episode, they talk about : 

• ZS aims to improve life through healthcare innovation.
• Healthcare gaps are widening, leading to patient dissatisfaction.
• AI can help bridge the gap between data and human capability.
• The US faces a significant shortage of healthcare providers.
• Trust in AI is a major barrier to its adoption in healthcare.
• AI can predict patient drop-off rates for medications.
• Regulatory frameworks are needed for AI in healthcare.
• Collaboration between public and private sectors is essential for AI standards.
• AI tools can enhance the patient experience and reduce burnout.
• The future of healthcare will involve a synergy between humans and AI.

A little about Pratap:

Pratap was elected CEO of ZS in July 2021. Prior to this, he led the firm’s global pharmaceuticals practice for nine years, as well as a practice focused on the dynamics of healthcare ecosystems. He founded and led its advanced data science capability track, which focuses on AI. He has also served on ZS’s board since 2012. Pratap has advised numerous leading companies in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries on a wide range of sales and marketing issues, including market access and managed care, using AI for multichannel marketing, marketing mix, sales force strategy and incentive compensation.

More recently, his work has focused on developing effective strategies and analytics for changing customers in the new healthcare ecosystem. A recognized healthcare industry expert, Pratap regularly contributes his insights to publications including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, Fortune, Medical Marketing & Media, NPR, Pharmaceutical Executive and others. His thought leadership work focuses on topics as diverse as healthcare policy; life sciences companies’ new commercial and organizational models; and the evolving relationships between patients, providers and payers and the life sciences organizations that serve them.