The conversations at ViVE 2025 made one thing clear: AI in healthcare is only as powerful as the data behind it. While AI remains a dominant focus, the industry is shifting beyond the hype and toward real-world application. The key themes this year centered on data integrity, interoperability, and financial impact.
Healthcare leaders are facing increasing pressure to leverage AI effectively, but they are also recognizing that AI is only as valuable as the data it relies on. The ability to unify, cleanse, and govern data is no longer a secondary consideration, it is a prerequisite for success.
Beyond AI, discussions at ViVE highlighted the varying levels of maturity in Customer 360 initiatives, as well as the growing demand for vendors to demonstrate clear, measurable ROI rather than selling innovation for the sake of innovation. Whether addressing patient identity challenges post-M&A, improving patient engagement strategies, or achieving a truly holistic Customer 360 view, organizations are at different points in their digital transformation. Yet, across the board, one truth remains: data is at the core of getting it right.
AI is Foundational, But Only If the Data Is
AI continues to dominate discussions in healthcare, but the tone is shifting away from pure enthusiasm toward a more pragmatic approach. Organizations are coming to terms with the reality that AI models are only as effective as the data they are trained on. Without clean, unified, and properly linked patient records, even the most sophisticated AI solutions will struggle to deliver meaningful results.
Health systems and payers alike are focusing more on data completeness, accuracy, and governance. The industry is recognizing that without solving the fundamental challenge of fragmented or incomplete patient data, AI-driven solutions may fail to meet their potential. Rather than chasing AI for AI’s sake, the focus is shifting to strengthening the data foundation that fuels AI-powered innovations.
Nick Orser, General Manager of the Provider and HIE Markets at Verato, underscored this reality in an interview at ViVE, sharing how Baptist Health Jacksonville and Nemours Children’s Hospital faced significant challenges in ensuring patient data accuracy:
“They’re connected by a bridge, literally, between their two buildings. But whenever orders were sent from Nemours Children’s to Baptist – imaging orders in particular – there was this manual fax-based process, sneaker net, people walking back and forth and having to reconcile those orders manually instead of being able to do it in an automated way,” Orser explained.
The problem wasn’t a lack of technology, but rather fragmented data that prevented interoperability. This is exactly why data governance is taking center stage. AI-powered healthcare solutions will only reach their full potential when organizations can ensure their foundational data is accurate, complete, and seamlessly integrated.
ROI Is No Longer a “Nice to Have”—It’s a Must
The days of digital transformation initiatives that lack a financial impact narrative are fading. Health systems and payers are more strategic with their technology investments and now demand clear, measurable ROI before committing to new solutions.
Organizations want to see:
- A financial impact narrative that aligns with their strategic objectives
- Concrete use cases that demonstrate both immediate and long-term value
- A clear roadmap for how technology investments will translate into measurable outcomes
For vendors, this means that selling on cutting-edge innovation alone is no longer enough. They must connect their solutions to real-world financial and operational impact, demonstrating how their technology solves specific pain points, reduces costs, and improves efficiency. Without that, decision-makers are increasingly unwilling to invest.
Customer 360: A Journey, Not a Destination
One of the most interesting discussions at ViVE centered on the wide range of maturity levels in Customer 360 initiatives. While some organizations are still focused on basic data challenges, such as resolving duplicate patient records, integrating data across multiple clinical systems, and addressing post-M&A data complexities, others are well on their way to delivering a truly holistic patient experience.
For organizations that have already laid the groundwork for Customer 360, the focus is shifting toward enhancing patient engagement, improving care coordination, and driving organic growth through more personalized experiences. However, regardless of where an organization falls on the maturity curve, the consensus is clear: identity resolution and strong data management strategies are critical.
As healthcare organizations move toward a more consumer-centric approach, the ability to create a single, trusted view of each patient will define success. Those who master this will be able to deliver personalized care, improve patient outcomes, and drive long-term engagement.
