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From Research to Reality

Feb. 26, 2026
Leslie Hawthorne Klingler

Bridging the Gap in AI-Driven Health Innovation

David Ebert speaking at a podium.

David Ebert, the U of A's chief artificial intelligence and data science officer, presents on AI at the university during a recent AI in Health Symposium on campus. Ebert directs the Office of Responsible Artificial Intelligence, which coordinates university-wide AI efforts and manages the U of A AI Platform.

The future of medicine took center stage on Feb. 25, as the University of Arizona hosted the AI in Health Innovation Symposium. Bringing together a powerhouse crowd of 135 researchers, clinicians and industry experts from Arizona and around the country, the event served as a high-energy deep dive into the technology reshaping biomedical science.

Philip R.O. Payne, chief health AI officer at BJC Healthcare and Washington University in St. Louis, anchored the event with his keynote, Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Transformation: Enhancing Research, Learning and Practice. Later, 17 expert panelists engaged in a dynamic dialogue across critical tracks that included cancer, cardiac or neurovascular and immunotherapy research; rural health access; and the unique needs of Arizona’s future health needs. 

The U of A offices of Research and Partnerships and Responsible AI spearheaded the event. Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships; David Ebert, chief AI and data science officer; and Provost Patricia Prelock offered insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in health and biomedical sciences, and on the university’s strategic research initiative, AI-Driven Health Innovation. 

Scroll through the gallery below to see the highlights of the day, from opening remarks and the keynote to the closing exchange of ideas at a poster session.