601 - How Artificial Intelligence Is Influencing the Way Healthcare Software Is Built

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Sean Walker, CTO of Alcidion, about the role of AI in healthcare software development, the architecture behind Alcidion’s Miya Precision platform, and how thoughtful AI adoption is helping improve outcomes for both clinicians and patients.The conversation explores how healthcare software is evolving, from the importance of getting foundational architecture right through to building systems that can scale and adapt as clinical needs change.They also unpack how AI is being used in practice, not just as a clinical support tool, but as a way to accelerate development, streamline workflows, and enhance the way software is designed and delivered.Along the way, the discussion highlights the balance between speed and responsibility, the growing role of regulation, and why keeping clinicians involved remains critical to building trust in AI-driven systems.This episode offers a grounded look at where AI is making a real impact today, and what it takes to build healthcare technology that is both innovative and safe.Key Takeaways🚀 Building strong software foundations is essential for scaling and integrating advanced capabilities like AI and large language models.💡 Distinct uses of AI exist: both in software development processes and as clinical decision support tools.👥 Keeping humans in the loop is critical for maintaining trust and reliability in clinical AI applications.🛠️ Skills like context engineering and agentic workflows are becoming necessary, beyond simple prompt engineering.🌐 Registered and codified AI tools, such as Alcidion’s concept detection, enable more robust clinical data and contribute to improved patient outcomes.Timestamps01:12 — Introduction to Alcidion and Sean’s role03:06 — Approaching platform architecture in healthtech06:30 — Disruptive AI capabilities and transformations10:22 — AI’s impact on software development workflow19:49 — Outcomes for clinicians and patients23:48 — TGA certification and concept detection28:09 — Human-in-the-loop for clinical AI34:08 — Future-ready software developer skillsCheck out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes.And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.