International speakers from the UK, New Zealand and the US will bring a sharp focus on bias, adoption and real-world AI deployment at this year’s Digital Health Festival in Melbourne (May 20-21).
From the UK, Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex chief medical officer Dr MaryAnn Ferreux will focus on the persistent gender gap in digital health and artificial intelligence. Her work spans clinical leadership and system innovation across the NHS, with a growing emphasis on how datasets, algorithms and product design can reinforce existing inequities if not actively addressed. Her session at 9.30am on May 21, is expected to explore how health systems can move beyond awareness of bias to practical redesign of tools and pathways for women’s health.
Also from the UK, Anthony Barberi, non-executive director at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, will examine the disconnect between patients and the data platforms intended to support their care. With governance and board-level oversight experience, his perspective centres on how digital transformation often prioritises infrastructure over usability, leaving gaps between system capability and patient experience. His session, “Mind the gap”, at 11.30am on May 21, is expected to highlight the structural and cultural barriers to meaningful patient engagement with health data.
New Zealand-based health economist Abbas Al Murrani, managing director of Health Economics Consulting NZ, focuses on evaluating the cost-effectiveness and system-wide impact of digital health interventions, particularly in publicly funded systems. His session “Good tech isn’t enough: the economics of getting to adoption” is at 2pm on May 21.
He says digital initiatives often fail not because of technology limitations, but because funding models, incentives and value frameworks do not support sustained uptake.
From the US, Solventum Chief Technology Officer for health information systems at Solventum Hari Balasubramanian will draw on more than two decades of experience applying artificial intelligence to revenue cycle management. His work encompasses large-scale automation, coding optimisation and operational AI in complex health systems. His session at 11am on May 20 will focus on what it takes to deploy AI at scale in highly regulated environments, including data quality, workflow integration and measurable return on investment.
Early ticket prices run to April 17 before there is a price rise, and complimentary tickets are available for executives, directors, managers, and senior clinicians from public hospitals, Primary Health Networks, affiliated health organisations and government health departments.
