• Healthcare

The Rise of Health Tech: Why Big Tech Workers Are Joining Healthcare Companies

April 03, 2023

• The sense of purpose and the ability to make a real impact on people’s lives drive workers away from big tech companies and towards health tech companies.
• The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a burgeoning field, and Health Tech companies are well-positioned to make a difference.
• As more tech workers move into the healthcare industry, we can expect to see increased innovation and advancements in the use of technology in healthcare, leading to improved patient outcomes and overall healthcare delivery.

 

Major digital companies with a reputation for cutting-edge innovations and technologies include Google and Meta, formerly known as Facebook. But, the labor market has changed recently as more people choose to work for health tech companies like Optum instead of these computer behemoths. What caused this? The potential to make a big difference in people’s lives and a sense of purpose.

According to a CIO report, Andrea Bodnari, a former Google executive who now serves as Vice President of Product at Optum, spoke about the significance of applying artificial intelligence to healthcare. She called UnitedHealth Group, Optum’s parent company, the “holy grail of healthcare know-how and prowess,” highlighting the importance of the mission in healthcare.

Similarly, Chris Jones, a Senior Principal Applied Scientist who recently joined Optum from Meta Platforms, expressed his excitement about using responsible AI in healthcare. He shared that he found the healthcare industry more purposeful than his work at Microsoft earlier in his career.

Optum’s Enterprise Chief Technology Officer, Francois Charette, addressed the inflow of tech personnel in the healthcare sector. He noted that Many of them are anxious to substantially impact people’s lives, which is only sometimes feasible in the tech sector. Additionally, he pointed out that as technology spreads, major tech companies will no longer be in the lead and would have to fight with everyone else for top personnel.

This change in the labor market emphasizes the value of working with a purpose and a goal, notably in the healthcare sector. Health tech companies, like Optum, are in an excellent position to make an impact in the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence in healthcare. We may anticipate increasing innovation and breakthroughs in the use of technology in healthcare as more professionals from significant tech corporations enter the sector.

In conclusion, the possibility of significantly influencing people’s lives in the healthcare sector is luring more tech professionals away from large tech businesses and into the field of health tech. We anticipate continuing growth and innovation in the healthcare sector due to companies like Optum leading the way in this trend.