Digital Health Week NZ 2025 - AI in Health Research Workshop Agenda Connecting, navigating and developing a future path for research and innovation in digital health Thursday 27 November 2025 | 8.30am to 4.00pm Theme: How can research kick-start AI innovation in healthcare?
AI in Health Research Workshop Agenda Connecting, navigating and developing a future path for research and innovation in digital health Thursday 27 November 2025 | 8.30am to 4.00pm Theme: How can research kick-start AI innovation in healthcare?
7.30 – 8.30
REGISTRATION | ARRIVAL TEA & COFFEE
Karakia, welcome, health and safety and scene setting
8.30
8.45 – 10.15
Session One | Showcase of the latest Aotearoa AI research This session will include presentations from leading Aotearoa researchers on the latest AI in health research projects, including successful recipients of recent MBIE and HRC AI funding. Keynote: A biophysical framework for using AI with human digital twins Professor Peter Hunter, founding director of the Auckland Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland Transforming radiology in NZ – from accuracy to implementation of AI Dr CK Jin, Director of AI Lab at Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora
AI-assisted InterRAI assessment and evaluation for person-centred care Assoc Prof Hamish Jamieson , University of Otago, Christchurch, and Geriatrician Using explainable AI to predict dementia risk Dr Catherine Morgan , University of Auckland Artificial intelligence in remote care: advancing cognitive health monitoring Dr Binh Nguyen , Victoria University of Wellington AI scribes in Aotearoa Associate Professor Vanessa Selak, University of Auckland Using AI to support the medical management of people with heart failure Associate Professor Katrina Poppe, University of Auckland
10.15
MORNING TEA
10.45 – 12.15
Session Two | Considerations for AI in health research The first part of the session will feature an expert panel discussion, and the second part of the session will involve round table discussions. PANEL: Responsible AI in health research , including equity, fairness, legal, and ethical considerations Dr Daniel Wilson (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao) is a lecturer in Computer Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland. He researches the ethical impacts of AI and data and, relatedly, Māori algorithmic sovereignty. Dr Sandra Hanchard is a Tongan researcher at the University of Auckland with a background in the technology sector, where she worked as a senior data analyst in a leading big data start-up. Her research focuses on improving health services to reduce inequities in outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples. Professor Sue Crengle (Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, and Waitaha) is the Co- Director of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit and Professor at the University of Otago. Her research focuses on health inequities, healthcare services and youth health. Rochelle Style is a researcher in bioethics and health law consultant. She is also a former member of the National Ethics Advisory Committee (NEAC), is a current member of the National AI & Algorithm Expert Advisory Group, and is involved in research around AI governance, ethical frameworks for AI, and the use of AI scribes in healthcare. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS: Navigating equity, fairness, legal, and ethical considerations within AI research.
12.15
LUNCH
Last updated: 7 October 2025
Agenda is subject to change
12.45 – 2.00
Session Three | Looking to the future This session will focus on how to ensure research is set up to succeed. Firstly, sector leaders will share insights on government priorities, pathways for commercialisation and clinical implementation, and strategies for demonstrating value. Government priorities for AI in health James Oughton, Chief Advisor of Precision Health at the Ministry of Health. Commercialisation pathways for research Rebecca Warr, Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Manager, University of Canterbury Implementing AI tools at Health NZ
Lara Hopley, Chief Clinical Informatics Officer, Health NZ & Anaesthetist Demonstrating Value: The Economic and Financial Case for AI in Healthcare Kevin Ross, Director of AI and Data at Deloitte
INTERACTIVE SESSION: led by Assoc Prof Mike O’Sullivan and Assoc Prof Rosie Dobson will see attendees map out the AI in Health Research ecosystem with a focus on collaboration and enabling co- ordination to accelerate research and translation of real-world benefits.
2.00
SHORT BREAK
2.45 – 4.00
Session Four | Soapbox: connecting real-world health problems with research-driven AI solutions Sector leaders will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas for how AI has the potential to solve real- world problems and revolutionise healthcare, followed by a quick-fire Q&A. Dr Ryan Radecki is an Emergency Department Consultant, Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago – Christchurch, and clinical advisor for Health NZ's AI Lab. He is passionate about machine learning, artificial intelligence, and ensuring clinical safety. Dr Ruth Large is an Emergency Medicine Physician and the Chief Clinical Officer for NZ TeleHealth Services. She is a digital health enthusiast and an advocate for an equitable and accessible health service. She says she has ‘no idea how AI really works but thinks it’s cool and uses it a lot at home and work to make life easier’. Professor Michael Witbrock is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Auckland, director of the NAO Institute and its Strong AI Lab, and chair of the AI Expert Advisory Group. His specialties include reasoning and inference, knowledge application in AI systems, AI strategy and entrepreneurship. Professor Mark Billinghurst is a Professor at the University of South Australia and the University of Auckland, specializing in augmented and virtual reality, remote collaboration, and empathic computing. He is also the director of Australia's largest AR/VR research Centre. Professor Matthew Parsons is the Clinical Chair in Gerontology, with a joint appointment at Te Whatu Ora and the University of Waikato and was recently the Digital Clinical Lead for Spark Health. His work focuses on developing services for older adult health and training health professionals.
3.45
Review, feedback, wrap up and Karakia to close
4.00
WORKSHOP CLOSES
Last updated: 7 October 2025
Agenda is subject to change
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