Imagine your local hospital, just 25 years into the future. The Emergency waiting room is quiet, thanks to the humanoid robots who triage new patients, soothe crying children and draw blood with skill.
We have more effective drugs, for everything from diabetes to kidney disease, because artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded our capacity to analyze millions of molecules and potential interactions with target proteins.
Disease diagnosis is faster and more accurate, thanks to the integration of AI into medical imaging. There are fewer wait lists, because AI-enabled robotic surgical systems can perform hip and heart valve replacements with dexterity and precision.
Is this a utopian dream? Hype? Or is this the reality of future hospitals—across Vancouver Island and around the world?
The Institute for Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH) at the University of Victoria (UVic) is collaborating with Island Health to host a free, community-oriented event on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026—From hype to hospital: How AI is being used in health care and research—tackling these questions and more.
“AI has incredible potential within a health-care setting, but there are still a lot of unknowns both for health-care professionals and for individuals in the community,” says Jodie Gawryluk, associate professor of psychology at UVic, and interim director of IALH.
We hope this event will bring together anyone interested in better understanding AI in health care, to learn from world class scientists at UVic, an award-winning clinician and executive leading the integration of AI at Island Health.”
—Jodie Gawryluk, associate professor of psychology at UVic
From robotic surgeons to human trust
Panelists Elizabeth Borycki and Andre Kushniruk, both professors in the School of Health Information Science at UVic, will present an introduction to the uses of AI in health care—from radiology and dermatology, to cardiology, surgery and psychiatry.
They will also speak to the human factors involved in successful integration of AI into health care. They will speak to issues such as accuracy, trust, legal liability and racial bias in data and public safety.
Borycki and Kushniruk will draw from their own research. This includes reviews of the uses of social, empathic robots in health-care settings — from helping diabetic children to estimate the carbohydrate content of their meals, to cognitive stimulation therapy with elderly patients with dementia.
“AI has the potential to greatly streamline and modernize health care,” says Kushniruk. “However, reaping the benefits of AI in health care will require increased (and continual) consideration of AI’s usefulness, usability and safety.”
Real-world public health settings
“Health care relies on evidence to ensure that what we’re doing is both safe and supports good outcomes for patients and communities,” says Cindy Trytten, director of research partnerships and knowledge mobilization at Island Health.
“Research on AI is, and will continue to be, critically important as we move forward.”
Panelists Christopher Picard, clinical nurse specialist (trauma and forensic services) at Island Health, and Graham Payette, executive director of intelligent automation and artificial intelligence at Island Health, will also speak to their experience of implementing AI within the context of Island Health and in B.C.
They will discuss how AI can support clinical decision-making, streamline operations and enhance patient care within complex public health systems. They will also discuss the challenges.
The panel will be moderated by Jodie Gawryluk and by Cindy Trytten. They will encourage questions — a rich source of learning for all.
Sign up here for free tickets to the event, which is being held both in-person at the Harry Hickman Lecture Theatre at UVic and online via Zoom.
