Here at the HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum, held in Brooklyn—long a gateway for immigration and innovation—the gathering has become more than just a platform to explore the intersection of “artificial intelligence” and human health. The gathering serves as a reminder of a deeper truth: science and human progress are fueled by global collaboration, and talent knows no borders. This welcoming approach is something that the Health Information Management System Services (HIMSS uniquely practices.
A Conversation Without Borders
Among the diverse voices at the Forum were three standout attendees—one from Ghana, another from Brazil, and still another from India—all deeply committed to advancing scientific discovery and digital transformation in health, all sitting at one table coincidentally. Their presence reinforced the idea that innovation emerges not from a single system or nation but from a mosaic of lived experiences, cultural insight, and shared human purpose.
At a time when geopolitical divisions grow and xenophobic rhetoric clouds practical need, this convening of minds from across continents stands as a counterpoint: progress in medicine and public health demands openness, not isolation.
Today, two out of five HIMSS members live outside the United States, representing the tremendous growth in its international reach.
Global Minds and Shared Missions
Consider the stories behind some of the most transformative scientific breakthroughs. Dr. Tu Youyou, who drew upon traditional Chinese medicine to isolate artemisinin, reshaped malaria treatment and saved millions. Tu received the 2011 Lasker Award in clinical medicine and the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for her work.
Dr. Salvador Moncada, born in Honduras and later based in the UK, changed the future of cardiovascular medicine through his work on nitric oxide. And Dr. Pardis Sabeti, born in Iran and raised in the United States, played a critical role in genomic tracking during the West African Ebola outbreak. These are not anomalies—they are the natural result of cross-border learning and purpose-driven science. In recognition of his tapping into the power of collaboration to accelerate biomedical discoveries, Dr. Salvador was nominated by the President of Honduras to serve as the country’s first Ambassador to China.
Such examples underscore a larger point: global health challenges—from infectious disease to chronic illness—cannot be solved in silos. They require knowledge sharing, inclusive research, and the integration of clinical science, population health data, and epidemiological insights gathered across geographies. HIMSS is paving the way for people and countries to come together.
Today, health information flows freely across continents. Clinical trials are increasingly multinational. Genomic datasets used to train AI models include samples from diverse populations. Epidemiological patterns—from outbreaks to noncommunicable disease trends—are informed by data from regions that span income levels and infrastructure capacity. This global interconnectedness of knowledge is not only valuable—it is vital.
Health innovation now depends as much on access to ideas and information as on access to raw data or funding. Each individual—whether a clinician, data scientist, policymaker, patient or communicator—contributes to this ecosystem through their choices within their workplace, organization, advocacy group and community. These local actions ripple outward to impact global outcomes.
When people are empowered to think boldly and act collaboratively—regardless of where they are from—their influence transcends borders. This is especially true in a world where diseases migrate, health inequities persist, and environmental factors increasingly shape population health. No one country has a monopoly on the future of medicine, and no one person is immune to illness.
Science and Technology as a Bridge
Science is not merely technical; it is relational. It is built on trust, transparency, and the willingness to share. When data is exchanged openly—on disease trends, therapeutic outcomes, or environmental health risks—it becomes a force for public good. When it is withheld or politicized, it delays solutions and costs lives.
As HIMSS convened global thinkers in a borough symbolic of reinvention, the message was clear: advancing AI in health is not just about algorithms—it’s about equity, empathy, and inclusion. Those values begin not with policy mandates but with people. Beneath sessions on technology and policies, the conversation continually returned to the reality—it’s about people working collaboratively.
Every organization has the power to foster a culture where global voices are welcomed, collaboration is incentivized, and ideas are judged not by origin but by merit. The future of health will be shaped by how willing we are to embrace human potential, wherever it begins, and work with people who can help advance human health wherever they call home.
Brooklyn as a Setting and Symbol
Brooklyn is a fitting backdrop for these conversations. A city defined by generations of immigrants—scientists, healers and visionaries—stands as a beacon for what is possible when people are welcomed, not walled off. HIMSS is hosting its APAC meeting July 16-18 in Malaysia.
The HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum brought together technologists, clinicians, ethicists and entrepreneurs. But more than that, it reminds participants of something timeless: when diverse minds come together, knowledge is not only shared—it is elevated. When human potential is honored without prejudice, the possibilities for better health are limitless.
