Topical Information

On 15 January, Sofia hosted the international seminar “AI and Healthcare Innovation: The Israeli Experience,” organized by the Embassy of Israel in Bulgaria in partnership with The Edge.

The event brought together representatives from institutions, hospitals, technology companies, and startups to discuss how artificial intelligence and digital innovations can make healthcare more efficient, sustainable, and patient-centered.

The seminar was opened by the Ambassador of Israel to Bulgaria, H.E. Yossi Levy Sphari, who emphasized that Israel considers Bulgaria one of its closest partners in Europe and worldwide, expressing Israel’s readiness to share its experience, technologies, and know-how in the health sector, with a view to deeper bilateral cooperation.

In his address, Bulgaria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Silvi Kirilov, stressed the importance of digital transformation and modernization of the Bulgarian healthcare system, as well as the need for strategic partnerships that turn innovations into tangible added value for patients and healthcare professionals.

The keynote speaker, Yoel Ben-Or, Director of Digital Health at the Israeli Ministry of Health, presented Israel’s vision for a fully connected healthcare ecosystem, where patients have complete control over their own health data, and AI supports doctors at every stage of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. He highlighted Israel’s unique advantages for leadership in this field: 100% digitized medical records (with data collection beginning 30 years ago), a centralized but competitive health system with four main providers (HMOs – Health Management Organizations), strong research potential, and over 2,000 health technology companies. Israel ranks among the top countries globally in healthcare R&D investment.

Key topics included the need for a new regulatory framework to ensure safety, ethics, and trust in the use of AI in medicine. Ben-Or emphasized that without a bold vision, technologies do not generate value, and creating real benefits for patients and systems is the key to sustainable progress. Ensuring both the security and accessibility of health data, as well as its effective use, was highlighted as essential.

Speakers stressed that AI is not intended to replace doctors and healthcare professionals but to provide tools that strengthen the sector, which faces challenges such as rising costs, health crises, increasing chronic conditions, aging populations, and conflicts.

The vision presented includes empowering primary care physicians to act as case managers, with AI assisting in interpreting and summarizing test results and information from other medical professionals. AI should also reduce administrative burdens on patients, for instance by automatically sending documents from exams and tests to insurers.

A notable example shared was a chatbot developed for psychological support of military personnel and defense staff. Due to a shortage of professional psychologists, the chatbot allows soldiers to communicate and has proven successful, with steps now underway for implementation in the U.S.

Currently, Israel is focusing on integrating systems using the FHIR standard (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), giving patients full control over their medical records and the ability to choose whom to share them with. Challenges remain regarding regulation, personal security, and data protection, which slow the sector’s development but are essential for patient safety.

The system was initiated five years ago, starting with data standardization and a few simple cases involving 2–3 consecutive activities to support patients. The ecosystem is expected to officially launch in July 2027 with several core services.

The second lecture, delivered by Dr. Hila Harris-Miller from the Innovation Department of Sheba Medical Center, provided a practical perspective on how Israel’s largest hospital applies AI and digital solutions in clinical practice.

During the second panel, leading Israeli healthcare innovation companies demonstrated how new technologies are already transforming diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare system management.

Presentations are available here: Google Drive link

Upcoming relevant events:

• HealthIL Week: https://www.healthilweek.org/

• Webinar “Turning Emergency into Infrastructure” by Sheba Medical Center: Zoom registration link