HealthTech of the Week: Wearables, AI and telemedicine – directions for healthcare development through the eyes of Janusz Kowalski, organizer of MEDmeetsTECH

The next conversation in the Healthtech of the Week series is not just another look at the development of medtech. It is a conversation about how the development of artificial intelligence has allowed us to spread our wings and create things that were once only dreams. Janusz Kowalski, founder and organizer of the MEDmeetsTECH conference, which has been connecting the world of medicine with technology and business for years, talks about the most important innovations of recent years, the maturity of the medical startup ecosystem in Poland and Europe, as well as the challenges facing the industry.

We began our conversation with AI, as the growing importance of artificial intelligence raises questions about its role in the therapeutic process. As our interlocutor emphasized, the consensus among specialists is clear: AI will not replace doctors, but will become their indispensable support. It is a tool that, in the hands of a qualified specialist, can increase the effectiveness of treatment, but it cannot function in isolation from human knowledge, experience, and empathy. In medicine, the doctor-patient relationship remains paramount, and artificial intelligence should be seen as a catalyst for improving the quality of care, not a substitute for clinical decision-making.

The second area highlighted by our guest, which has had a huge impact on the medical industry in recent years, is robotics.

– The development of robotic surgery systems has revolutionized the approach to many procedures, enabling operations to be performed with unprecedented precision. In Poland, too, we are seeing increasingly widespread implementation of this technology, confirming that it is no longer the preserve of the most developed markets. Medical robots not only increase patient safety, but also shorten recovery times and reduce the risk of complications – explains Janusz Kowalski.

We must not forget about telemedicine, which became a necessity during the pandemic and is now slowly becoming a permanent part of the healthcare system. Remote consultations, health monitoring, and quick access to specialists give patients more control over their treatment. Doctors, on the other hand, are given tools to manage their time and resources more effectively. Telemedicine increases the availability of services, especially for people in smaller towns, and also contributes to reducing system costs.

The maturity of the medical startup ecosystem

The current state of the medical startup ecosystem in Poland and Europe deserves special attention. It can be said to be highly mature, as evidenced by growing investor interest, access to grants and acceleration programs, and an increasingly better understanding of the specifics of the healthcare sector by the innovators themselves. However, the most successful projects are those that can realistically respond to the needs of patients and doctors, rather than just demonstrating attractive technological solutions.

– Polish startups do not lack innovation, creativity, or talent. The challenge is rather perseverance and access to stable financing that would allow them to survive the most difficult phase of commercialization. Many creators emphasize that in order to successfully establish themselves on the international stage, not only funds are necessary, but also resilience to failure and determination in long-term action, says the founder and organizer of MEDmeetsTECH.

And although the medical sector has traditionally been considered conservative and reluctant to embrace new developments, recent years have shown that it is becoming more open to cooperation with innovators. Conferences such as MEDmeetsTECH play a special role here, bringing together technology entrepreneurs with doctors, scientists, and investors. It is at the intersection of different perspectives that the most valuable solutions are born.

As Janusz Kowalski emphasizes, the key characteristics of HealthTech leaders are openness to change, curiosity about the world, and a willingness to constantly seek new solutions. Keeping track of trends, drawing inspiration from the experiences of other industries, and the ability to adapt are essential to effectively lead an organization and keep pace with the pace of transformation. In this industry, it is a proactive attitude, not just technology, that determines success. And cybersecurity, too.

Challenges and the future

However, the growing role of new technologies in healthcare is not without risks. The greatest concern is the security of medical data, which is some of the most sensitive information about a patient. Patients should have full control over who has access to their data, when, and to what extent. Only by ensuring an adequate level of information protection can the development of artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and analytical systems be seen as a positive step towards modern and secure healthcare.

What else will be trending? According to our interviewee, in addition to artificial intelligence and robotics, the development of wearable technology and personalized medicine will have a significant impact on medicine in the near future. Devices that monitor heart function, physical activity levels, and biochemical parameters allow doctors and patients to keep track of health status on an ongoing basis, which promotes prevention and early detection of diseases. Personalized medicine, in turn, uses genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data to tailor therapy to the individual needs of the patient, increasing the effectiveness of treatment and minimizing the risk of side effects.

– However, it is worth noting that the industry is likely on the verge of a technological revolution, the full extent of which we do not yet know. Ultimately, the development of the HealthTech industry is not driven solely by technology, but also by the people behind the innovations. It is passion, belief in science, and curiosity about the world that keep leaders searching for new avenues of development despite the difficulties. Conferences such as MEDmeetsTECH show that exchanging experiences, discussing successes and failures, and building networks are of great importance for shaping the future of the sector – says the conference organizer.

Healthtech of the Week has repeatedly shown in its series that technology will be ubiquitous in the medicine of the future, but its value will depend on whether it remains at the service of patients and doctors. This combination of knowledge, experience, and innovation forms the foundation of modern healthcare, in which people and technology coexist in harmony, responding to the greatest challenges of our time.

We would like to invite you to the 20th anniversary edition of the MEDmeetsTECH conference, which will take place on December 4, 2025, in Warsaw. This year’s program will include a session on communication, market know-how, presentations of qualified startup projects, and debates with representatives of public institutions.

More information: https://medmeetstech.com/

—

Stay tuned for more in the “HealthTech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].