This week’s developments focus on making sophisticated AI capabilities more accessible, efficient, and immediately valuable for users across the spectrum.
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Epic Unveils New AI Assistants to Transform Health Care for Patients and Clinicians
Epic Systems used its annual Users Group Meeting in Verona, Wisconsin, to unveil a suite of new AI-driven tools designed for patients, clinicians, and health-care organizations. CEO Judy Faulkner, in a lighthearted Buzz Lightyear-inspired outfit, announced that the company has about 200 AI features in development, ranging from patient-facing assistants to clinician support systems. Among the highlights was the introduction of MyChart Central, a single login system for patients navigating multiple health providers, and Emmie, an always-on patient assistant capable of answering questions about lab results, proposing appointments, and suggesting screenings. These upgrades aim to improve patient access while reducing administrative burdens for health systems.
For clinicians, Epic introduced Art, an AI assistant designed to act as a digital colleague, capable of retrieving information, updating records, placing orders, and even drafting clinical notes through an integration with Microsoft’s ambient AI technology. On the administrative side, Penny supports medical coding and insurance claim appeals. Epic also previewed Cosmos AI, foundation models trained on its massive de-identified patient dataset, which could help predict medical events and accelerate research.
SoftSnow Take:
Epic's comprehensive AI rollout demonstrates a thoughtful approach to healthcare transformation that addresses multiple stakeholders simultaneously. What stands out is how Epic has created an ecosystem of specialized AI assistants—each designed for specific users with distinct needs. This targeted approach avoids the common pitfall of developing one-size-fits-all AI solutions that excel nowhere by trying to work everywhere.
Each AI tool—from patient-facing Emmie to clinician-supporting Art—addresses specific pain points in the healthcare journey. Their progression from operational improvements to predictive insights with Cosmos AI illustrates an effective approach to AI adoption: start with immediate value, then build toward more sophisticated applications as expertise grows.
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Avatars Are the New Face of E-commerce
In China, a new wave of AI-powered "virtual human" salespeople is transforming the world of livestream ecommerce. These digital avatars can work 24/7, providing consistent, high-energy sales pitches without getting tired. Companies using them, like Brother printers, have reported a significant increase in sales since adopting the technology. The AI is so effective that it often outperforms human salespeople over longer periods, allowing businesses to maintain a constant sales presence on platforms like Taobao.
Developed by companies like Baidu, these avatars use advanced AI to generate scripts and interact with viewers in real-time. This allows businesses to have an "always-on" sales representative, complementing the work of human staff or, in some cases, taking over entirely. The increasing realism and improved interactive capabilities of this technology suggest a future where AI-generated content and salespeople become a standard part of the online shopping experience, potentially reshaping the roles of human influencers and sales staff.
SoftSnow Take:
The use of ecommerce avatars brings up a valid concern: will they replace human jobs? While that might be a possibility, we view this development as part of a human + AI transformation rather than a simple substitution. By handling the repetitive, always-on sales pitches, these avatars free up human teams to focus on higher-value tasks that require creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking. It's not about replacing humans, but about redefining their roles.
Instead of a zero-sum game, this is an opportunity to create a more powerful and efficient sales model where AI handles the routine, and humans handle the relationships and innovation. It's an inspiring development that shows how technology can be a partner, allowing people to thrive in roles where unique human skills are most valuable.
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FDA-Approved Signos System Offers New Path to Weight Loss
The FDA has approved a new weight-management system from the startup Signos, which utilizes an AI platform and an off-the-shelf continuous glucose monitor (CGM) from Dexcom. This system is a significant development because it's available to anyone, unlike popular weight-loss drugs and surgical options that are typically restricted to patients with a high BMI or obesity. The Signos system offers real-time, personalized data and lifestyle recommendations, and a membership plan is a fraction of the cost of GLP-1 medications.
Beyond simply losing weight, the goal of the Signos system is to help users understand how their bodies respond to specific foods and exercises. By tracking glucose levels through the CGM and allowing users to log food and activity, the AI-powered app helps people make lasting behavioral changes. While insurers don't currently cover the system, Signos is working with health insurance companies and employers to expand access. The company hopes this new tool will help a wide range of people in their weight-loss journeys.
SoftSnow Take:
By combining an off-the-shelf device with a powerful AI platform, Signos isn't just selling a product—it's creating a new, accessible way for people to manage their health. AI's ability to provide real-time, personalized insights is the key. This development exemplifies efficient innovation that delivers immediate benefits while building toward long-term health improvements.
What makes this system truly transformative is its focus on education and sustainable behavior change. Rather than offering quick fixes, AI creates a personalized learning experience that helps users develop lasting habits. For organizations looking to implement AI solutions, Signos demonstrates how combining existing hardware with thoughtful AI implementation can create accessible, scalable systems that address complex challenges without requiring massive infrastructure investments.
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These rapid developments demonstrate both the urgency and opportunity of this moment. The good news? Meaningful AI implementation doesn't require enterprise-scale resources or massive infrastructure investments.
The most successful AI transformations aren't about chasing every new capability; they're about identifying where technology can solve real business problems and empower your existing teams. Whether you're building infrastructure, creating new user experiences, or seeking competitive advantages, the key is approaching AI with purpose and practicality.
At SoftSnow, we understand that successful AI adoption isn't just about acquiring technology: it's about thoughtful integration that enhances human potential rather than replacing it, allowing teams to work smarter and achieve more while staying true to core business objectives. Contact us today to learn more.
