April 13, 2026 — Hospitals are full of all manner of data, the essential building block of any artificial intelligence (AI) tool. In some ways, this abundance of clinical, operational, financial, and other data can make it challenging to pinpoint a starting place for the launch of AI-enabled tools. David Evans, Schneider Electric’s Global Segment Director for Healthcare, points out that refining this focus is another area where artificial intelligence can help.
“About 18 months ago, we started hypothesizing alongside Microsoft as to whether AI is in a strong enough position that we can use it to identify data synergies to unlock potential efficiencies,” said Evans. The goal, he explains, is to “combine datasets and use AI to look at
patterns, then identify and suggest operational efficiencies. We think that would finally get closer to unlocking potential efficiencies inside the healthcare system.”
Access to a plentitude of data can prove invaluable in identifying patterns and shaping strategy – both in AI and in broader healthcare practices. In fact, this is the value behind the upcoming IFHE World Congress. From October 17-20, 2026, the World Congress brings leaders in healthcare facility design, construction, engineering, operations, and real estate management from across the world to New Orleans to share global innovation. The event is hosted by the Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP), the U.S. representative to the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE), in partnership with EmeraldX and co-located event alongside the Healthcare Design (HCD) Conference + Expo.
Evans, who is a confirmed presenter at the World Congress, sees the application of AI at the facility level as essential for providing fast, scalable pathways to relieving pressure on health systems. AI-enabled tools can connect disparate systems to streamline connected functions. He offers patient movement as an example of how this might look.
“We have patient movement systems that don’t speak to building management systems. We have catering systems that don’t speak to patient movement systems, so meals turn up in different places than where patients are located. We have facility management systems that don’t speak to admission and discharge systems so we need manual interventions to make sure rooms are being cleaned,” Evans says. With the right system integrations, triggers can be built into each system to automate action and simplify patient transitions.
When it comes to identifying where and how to deploy the right technologies, Evans says AI can help here, too. “There’s a real sweet spot for AI where we have repetitive processes,” he notes. The process of admitting, moving, then discharging a patient is rich with individual data points that can help identify impactful applications of AI. So, too, is the process of deploying new technology inside a hospital. That means AI could accelerate technology deployments — reducing intrusion into hospitals and creating a more stable operating environment.
During his presentation at the IFHE World Congress, Evans aims to move discussions around AI beyond clinical systems to the foundation of healthcare delivery — the hospital building itself. To learn more about the event and all scheduled sessions visit AMFP or IFHE.
