vMed 2026: AI, VR & the Future of Digital Health

The future of medicine is taking shape in Los Angeles this week, as Cedars-Sinai hosts its 8th Annual Virtual Medicine Conference, vMed, from March 25-26. This year’s conference isn’t just about virtual reality; it’s a broader exploration of how digital technologies – from wearable biosensors to artificial intelligence – are poised to reshape patient care and outcomes. VMed aims to be a collaborative space where physicians and technologists can translate cutting-edge research into practical applications.

A Hub for Digital Health Innovation

Founded in 2018, vMed initially focused on the potential of virtual and extended reality to address conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, recognizing early research suggesting benefits from immersive technologies. Virtual reality’s role in healthcare is expanding, offering new avenues for treatment and physician training. But, the conference has evolved to encompass the wider landscape of digital health, including the increasingly prominent role of artificial intelligence. As Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, vMed founder and director of health services research at Cedars-Sinai, explains, the goal is to “put up a bat signal into the sky, calling technologists to come to Los Angeles and get creative about what the future of medicine will look like.”

Healio is an official media partner of the vMed conference, and will be providing coverage from the meeting, including exclusive interviews with presenters.

Moving Beyond Theory: Applied Digital Health

A key aspiration for this year’s meeting is to move beyond theoretical discussions and focus on strategies health systems can implement to improve patient care. Spiegel emphasizes the need to transition “from theory to application and practicalities.” This is particularly relevant given the recent advancements in AI, which are revitalizing technologies that previously lacked widespread adoption. While remote patient monitoring programs and wearable biosensors have shown promise, their implementation has been limited. However, with the power of AI, these tools are becoming more impactful and financially viable, with emerging payment models to support their use.

AI is increasingly integrated into medical practices, often without explicit awareness, highlighting its pervasive influence on healthcare delivery.

The Power of In-Person Collaboration

Despite the “virtual” in its name, vMed prioritizes in-person interaction. Spiegel believes the hallway conversations and informal exchanges are crucial for fostering innovation. The conference attracts a diverse group of attendees – from mental health professionals and surgeons to technologists and AI experts – creating a unique environment for cross-disciplinary collaboration. The inclusion of patient perspectives is also central to vMed’s approach, recognizing that meaningful innovation requires understanding the needs and experiences of those receiving care.

These collaborations often lead to unique partnerships, such as pediatricians working with informaticists or surgeons collaborating with computer scientists. This interdisciplinary approach is a hallmark of vMed and a key driver of its impact.

Key Trends at vMed 2026: Blended Intelligence

The most significant trend at this year’s conference is the rise of AI and its practical implementation in clinical practice. Spiegel believes that health systems that effectively leverage AI will gain a competitive advantage. He introduces the concept of “blended intelligence” (BI) as a guiding principle: combining the expertise and empathy of healthcare professionals with the computational power of AI systems. In this model, humans and AI work in tandem, each leveraging their strengths to enhance patient care.

This isn’t about replacing clinicians with algorithms, but rather augmenting their abilities and improving the overall quality of care. The focus is on finding the right balance between human intuition and data-driven insights.

What Comes Next: A Focus on Implementation and Ethical Considerations

The discussions at vMed are expected to extend beyond the technical aspects of AI and digital health to address the ethical and practical challenges of implementation. This includes considerations around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ensuring equitable access to these technologies. The conference will likely explore strategies for integrating AI into existing workflows, training healthcare professionals to effectively use these tools, and developing sustainable business models to support their adoption.

Spiegel will be discussing the concept of blended intelligence in his opening talk, emphasizing the importance of combining human wisdom with the power of AI to create a more effective and compassionate healthcare system. The conference aims to provide a roadmap for health systems to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital health and harness its potential to improve patient outcomes.

Brennan Spiegel, MD, can be reached at [email protected].