As artificial intelligence continues to transform health care delivery and outcomes, Newsweek is proud to present the inaugural AI Impact Health Awards. AI has enormous potential in the health care industry, with national governments and local health systems alike identifying it as a major strategic priority. Novel generative and predictive technologies are already improving the care experience for both patients and providers: predicting and monitoring disease states, analyzing complex data sets for medical research and streamlining processes that historically caused delays or bottlenecks. Nearly half of clinicians around the world were using AI for work-related purposes in 2025, according to Statista, and that number continues to rise as more hospitals, health systems and medical groups integrate AI into their practices. Health care AI companies had already amassed more than $30 billion in investments between 2021 and 2023, according to Flare Capital Partners. Spending is rapidly accelerating, with the global health care AI market projected to expand to $187.7 billion by 2030. That growth is marked by a profound sense of urgency as care systems prepare for an aging population while navigating ongoing workforce shortages. Health care organizations are deploying AI at more than two times the rate of the broader U.S. economy, according to one Menlo Ventures analysis. But even with that urgency, there is a need to get things right. That’s why Newsweek, in collaboration with a panel of expert judges, reviewed applicants with an emphasis on measurable impact rather than ideas alone. The awards recognize innovations demonstrating meaningful change across health care systems, including improvements in patient outcomes, clinical decision-making and operational efficiency. The Newsweek AI Impact Health Awards 2026 honor winners across 10 categories, spanning early detection and clinical decision support to data security, workforce management and health care operations. The judging panel brought perspectives from across the health care ecosystem, including digital and AI leaders, clinicians, health system executives and population health experts. We hope this list serves as a valuable guide for health care leaders, clinicians and patients alike as they navigate a rapidly changing and rapidly growing health AI ecosystem. AwardWinnerDescriptionAI Impact – Early Detection & Prevention RiverSpring LivingRewards AI solutions that demonstrably enable earlier identification of disease and proactive prevention. Judges will assess validated improvements in early diagnosis, risk stratification, or screening uptake; integration into clinical workflows; population‑level impact; and evidence that earlier intervention measurably improves outcomes while reducing avoidable downstream care.AI Impact – Data Privacy & Security PfizerRecognizes AI platforms that advance innovation while setting new standards for data protection. Judges will prioritize demonstrable safeguards for patient privacy, secure data governance, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI controls; transparency in model use; and evidence that robust security enables trustworthy, scalable adoption across health systems.AI Impact – Predictive Analytics C the SignsRewards AI solutions that accurately anticipate clinical, operational, or population‑health risks and enable earlier, more effective intervention. Judges will prioritise robust validation, actionable insights, measurable impact on outcomes or costs, and proof that predictive signals are trusted, timely, and embedded into decision‑making across care teams and health systems.AI Impact – Health Care Operations AssistIQRecognizes AI that measurably improves hospital and system performance. Judges will assess demonstrated gains in efficiency, capacity management, workforce optimisation, and cost control; scalability across sites; integration with operational systems; and clear evidence that operational intelligence enables resilience and frees clinicians to focus on patient care.AI Impact – Best Health System AI Transformation Ob Hospitalist GroupCelebrates organizations or providers leading system‑wide AI transformations with measurable impact. Judges will assess clear strategic vision, enterprise‑level deployment, governance and change management, cross‑clinical adoption, and evidence that AI has delivered sustained improvements in outcomes, efficiency, culture, and decision‑making across the health system.AI Impact – Best AI Provider-Hospital PartnershipOracle HealthRecognizes AI providers that have built deep, high‑impact partnerships with hospital systems to deliver sustained, measurable value. Judges will assess co‑development with clinicians, shared governance and accountability, speed‑to‑value, scalability across sites, and clear evidence that collaboration has driven lasting improvements in outcomes, efficiency, and organizational capability.AI Impact – Remote Patient Monitoring ROMTechHonors AI‑enabled remote monitoring solutions that safely extend care beyond hospital walls. Judges will evaluate clinical effectiveness, patient engagement and adherence, reduction in avoidable admissions, data reliability, and equitable access—along with proof that insights meaningfully support clinicians in delivering timely, personalised, and continuous care at scale.AI Impact – Medical Imaging Analysis Rad AIRecognizes AI solutions that deliver clinically proven improvements in imaging accuracy, efficiency, or speed. Judges will assess validated performance in real‑world hospital settings, workflow integration with systems (i.e. PACS / radiology), clinician trust, regulatory readiness, and clear evidence that enhanced imaging insight leads to better diagnoses, faster treatment, and improved patient outcomes.AI Impact – Clinical Decision Support Systems OutcomesAIRewards AI platforms that meaningfully support clinical decision‑making without disrupting care delivery. Judges will look for demonstrable improvements in safety, consistency, or outcomes; explainability at the point of care; seamless EHR integration; clinician adoption; and evidence that recommendations augment professional judgement while reducing cognitive burden.AI Impact – Workforce Management AttensiRecognizes AI that strengthens health care workforce planning, resilience, and performance. Judges will look for measurable improvements in staffing efficiency, scheduling, skills matching, and retention; reduction in burnout or agency reliance; integration with existing systems; and proof that workforce intelligence enhances care continuity and employee wellbeing.

Original source: US