Google and California have agreed on a groundbreaking deal, contributing a combined $125 million over five years to bolster local newsrooms through a public charity at UC Berkeley’s journalism school. The initiative, aimed at counteracting the decline of journalism, includes a controversial $70 million earmark for artificial intelligence development, sparking concerns among journalists about job displacement. Despite being viewed as a pragmatic compromise by some lawmakers, the deal has faced criticism for being perceived as insufficient and overly favorable to Google, highlighting ongoing tensions over the role of tech giants in the news industry.

Google agrees to America’s first newsroom funding deal. It’s already unpopular. POLITICO

Epic Systems is advancing rapidly in developing AI and generative AI features for its electronic health records (EHR) software to reduce clinician burnout and improve patient care. At Epic's User Group Meeting, CEO Judy Faulkner emphasized their MyChart ART system, which drafts patient message responses, and new charting tools using ambient voice technology, both currently used by hundreds of healthcare organizations. Additionally, Epic is working on over 100 AI projects, including tools to enhance chart reviews and automate various clinical and administrative tasks. The company is also collaborating with Microsoft to optimize these AI solutions for cost-efficiency and regulatory compliance, and has launched an open-source AI validation tool on GitHub for wider healthcare use.

Epic touts new AI applications to streamline charting and bring research insights to the point of care Fierce Healthcare

Epic Systems founder and CEO Judy Faulkner announced the company’s forward-looking strategy, detailing plans and developments aimed at the next 25 to 50 years. Speaking at Epic's Users Group Meeting in Verona, Wisconsin, Faulkner emphasized their continued global expansion and technological advancements, including a major go-live in London and the integration of AI in clinical operations. With a focus on creating a more engaging user experience, Faulkner highlighted initiatives in precision medicine, AI-driven patient care tools, and user software improvements. Epic also plans to enhance its infrastructure to prioritize employee productivity by expanding individual office spaces, amid ongoing efforts to involve patients directly in their healthcare through shared digital interfaces.

Judy Faulkner's 25-to-50-year plan for Epic Becker's Hospital Review

The author, J.D. Whitlock, recaps his takeaways from the 2024 Epic User Group Meeting (UGM), highlighting several key developments and experiences. The completion of Hyperdrive's re-architecture allows Epic to introduce 50% more new features in 2024, enhancing customer capabilities. There is a shift in focus within the Gold Stars maturity model towards features that are actively used rather than merely activated. International attendance at UGM is growing, underscoring the global expansion of Epic systems. The integration of Epic’s research, genomics, and clinical decision support tools remains underutilized but holds significant potential for the future. Whitlock also touches on emerging trends in generative AI, reactions to the Crowdstrike cybersecurity event, and the realizations about system efficiencies and competitive landscapes brought on by discussions at UGM. Overall, he emphasizes the importance of practical implementation, collaboration, and continuous learning to maximize Epic's benefits in healthcare settings.

UGM 2024 Takeaways (and Why I am Still an Epic Fanboy) Publication