For a century, the "best" professional was the one who had memorized the textbook. They were the walking encyclopedia who could recite facts on command. Today, that definition of excellence is dead. The smartphone in a student's pocket already holds more information than any human brain ever could.

In this provocative and essential keynote, Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, a national physician leader and architect of medical curricula, examines the profound shift from "Data Memorizers" to "Data Synthesizers". As AI transforms from a tool that calculates numbers to one that generates ideas, the goal of education must change from teaching "what to know" to "how to learn".

Dr. Ehrenfeld will explore:

• Predictive vs. Generative AI: Understanding the difference between machines that recognize patterns and machines that create content—and why "factual ambivalence" makes human oversight more critical than ever.

• The "Scout and Sniper" Mentality: Why we must train humans to validate AI "flags" rather than follow them blindly, preventing the dangers of automation bias.

• Algorithmic Bias: How to identify when "neutral" data contains historical inequities and how to model professional integrity by knowing when to override the machine.

• Restoring the Human Connection: How AI can act as a "Rescuer" by automating administrative "clerk" work, finally restoring the "Cognitive White Space" needed for empathy and complex judgment.

This session is designed for educators, business leaders, and any organization grappling with the "current reality" of AI in their workforce. Dr. Ehrenfeld challenges audiences to stop debating if AI belongs in the syllabus and start designing where it fits.

The goal is not to build a doctor, or a professional, who is a reader of algorithms, but one who is a master of the machine, using technology as a scaffold to reach higher levels of human care and connection.

As the 178th President of the American Medical Association, Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld made advancing health equity across underserved communities a defining priority of his tenure. In 2026 and beyond, that work has only grown more urgent.

In this powerful and forward-looking keynote, he reflects on the progress made—and the work that remains. Drawing on his leadership at the American Medical Association, he examines how inequities continue to shape access, outcomes, workforce representation, digital health adoption, and payment policy.

He explores the evolving challenges facing marginalized communities, including:

• The impact of policy shifts on access to care

• Threats to public health infrastructure

• The role of AI and digital tools in either narrowing or widening disparities

• The importance of protecting LGBTQ+ health, maternal health, and rural access

• Physician workforce diversity and inclusive leadership

From data transparency and accountability to addressing bias in algorithms and expanding pipeline programs, he outlines what meaningful progress requires in this next phase. This keynote challenges healthcare leaders, policymakers, and clinicians to move beyond statements of commitment and toward measurable, sustainable action—so that equity becomes embedded in the DNA of modern medicine. The question for moving forward isn’t whether health equity matters. It’s how boldly we are willing to lead

Tensions between health plans and providers are no longer confined to boardrooms—they’re making national headlines. From arbitration disputes and prior authorization friction to escalating advocacy efforts on both sides, the provider–payer relationship is under strain. But beneath the surface-level conflict lie deeper structural questions about trust, accountability, transparency, and shared responsibility for patient outcomes.

In this forward-looking keynote conversation, Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld—national physician leader and former president of the American Medical Association—brings a uniquely informed perspective to one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: how to realign the incentives and rebuild the trust between those who finance care and those who deliver it.

Drawing on his experience representing frontline physicians, engaging with policymakers, and working alongside health system leaders, Dr. Ehrenfeld will explore:

• What is truly driving today’s provider–payer tensions

• Whether emerging policies are fostering fairness—or deepening divides

• The administrative burdens eroding clinician morale and patient access

• Where meaningful opportunities for alignment already exist

Most importantly, he will challenge both sides to move beyond transactional negotiations toward collaborative partnership models that better serve patients and care teams alike.

As reimbursement models evolve, regulatory pressures increase, and public scrutiny intensifies, the question is no longer whether the relationship between plans and providers must change—it’s how. What would it take to rebuild trust across the table? How can administrative simplification improve both financial sustainability and care delivery?

And what shared commitments are necessary to create a system that rewards value, reduces friction, and supports frontline clinicians?

Designed for health plan executives, provider leaders, and policy stakeholders, this session offers a thoughtful, candid, and solutions-oriented examination of what’s working, what’s not, and what comes next. At a moment when healthcare needs alignment more than antagonism, Dr. Ehrenfeld offers a clear-eyed and constructive roadmap toward stronger partnerships—and better outcomes for patients nationwide.