Convene 2025 Recap: Carlson School Explores the Future of Responsible AI in Healthcare

Nearly 175 leaders from healthcare, business, and technology gathered at the University of Minnesota on April 9 for Convene 2025—a half-day conference hosted by the Carlson School of Management’s Business Advancement Center for Health (BACH). This year’s theme, “Responsible AI: High Impact, Low Risk Healthcare,” brought cross-sector experts together to explore how artificial intelligence can be ethically and effectively integrated into healthcare systems.

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Dr. David Rhew, global chief medical officer and vice president of healthcare at Microsoft, who shared insights on scalable AI applications and the path to digital health equity. His remarks set the tone for a day focused on innovation, transparency, and practical implementation. Other key themes presented throughout the day included AI validation in clinical settings, risk mitigation strategies, and the importance of preparing the healthcare workforce for an AI-enabled future.

Founded in 2018 by Professor Pinar Karaca-Mandic, BACH founding director and C. Arthur Williams Jr. Professor of Healthcare Risk Management, the Convene Conference serves as a platform for thought leadership at the intersection of business, technology, and health. As the event’s curator, Karaca-Mandic shaped the day’s agenda and also moderated a standout panel discussion—“Balancing Regulatory Guardrails and Innovation in AI”—which examined how to advance AI-driven tools while maintaining safety, equity, and public trust.

Dr. Archelle Georgiou, the Carlson School’s Medical Industry Leadership Institute Executive in Residence and a nationally recognized physician leader, served as emcee and host. A co-founder of the Convene Conference, Georgiou also moderated a fireside chat with Lou DiLorenzo, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. That conversation was followed by a panel featuring Rodolphe Katra of Medtronic and Sarah Harper of Mayo Clinic Health System, who explored real-world AI use cases—from clinical decision support to operational efficiency and patient engagement.

The “Balancing Regulatory Guardrails and Innovation in AI” panel featured Dr. Haider Warraich of ARPA-H, Marielle Lejcher of ZoaDx and CovarsaDx, and Dr. Genevieve Melton-Meaux of M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota. Panelists discussed the evolving regulatory landscape for AI in healthcare and emphasized the need for frameworks that ensure safety and transparency while enabling progress.

Associate Dean of Faculty and Research Myles Shaver opened the event with welcome remarks on behalf of the Carlson School, reaffirming the school’s commitment to advancing research and dialogue across disciplines.

Convene 2025 was made possible through the leadership of BACH, with generous sponsorship support from Research Computing, the Office of Academic and Clinical Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and Fredrikson. Planning is already underway for Convene 2026.

The Convene Conference is just one of many efforts by BACH, which works to bridge the worlds of business and healthcare to advance innovation, value, and equity in health. Through interdisciplinary research, experiential learning, and events like Convene, BACH connects experts and stakeholders to tackle today’s most pressing healthcare challenges.