At this year’s Epic Systems Users Group Meeting, attendees were in for more than just a tech update—they got a spectacle. CEO Judy Faulkner, dressed head-to-toe in a swan costume, set the tone for a conference filled with whimsy and innovation. While the playful atmosphere might have been a surprise for some, seasoned Epic followers knew what to expect. Amid the themed antics, one message was clear: Epic is diving deep into artificial intelligence (AI) to transform healthcare for both doctors and patients.
Epic Systems, a major player in healthcare software, kicked off its annual Users Group Meeting with CEO Judy Faulkner taking the stage in a swan costume—a nod to the event’s "storytime" theme. For newcomers, the whimsical approach might have seemed odd, but for industry veterans and Epic employees, it was just another day at the Verona, Wisconsin-based company’s headquarters.
Epic’s technology is a staple in U.S. healthcare, with its software managing medical records for over 280 million Americans. Each year, thousands flock to the company’s sprawling 1,670-acre campus, complete with farm animals and wizard statues, to hear about the latest advancements. This year’s focus? How AI is becoming an integral part of Epic’s offerings.
During the event, Epic revealed that it has more than 100 AI-powered features in development, many aimed at making life easier for both doctors and patients. For example, by the end of the year, Epic’s generative AI will assist doctors in rewriting patient communication in plain language and automating tasks like prescription orders. These tools are designed to help physicians streamline routine but time-consuming activities, such as drafting appeal letters for insurance denials or navigating prior authorization requirements.
Looking further ahead, by 2025, Epic’s AI is expected to enhance patient interactions within its MyChart app, pulling relevant medical data for doctors to review when responding to patient queries. One of the more specialized AI features slated for next year is the ability to measure wound sizes from images, a tool that could significantly improve care management.
Epic also announced a new staff scheduling app called “Teamwork,” which is set to launch soon, and hinted at ambitious plans to revolutionize insurance claim submissions by cutting out the middleman.
Despite the fanfare, questions remain about whether these AI features will be widely adopted across healthcare systems. To demonstrate the potential of its technology, Epic closed the presentation with a live demo showcasing an AI agent that interacted with Seth Hain, Epic’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development. The agent, accessed through the MyChart app, evaluated Hain’s wrist recovery post-surgery, even advising him on when he could safely return to playing pickleball.
After the presentation, Hain clarified that while the demo was conducted in real-time without human intervention, the technology is still in its infancy and will take years before it’s widely available.
Epic Systems is pushing the boundaries of healthcare technology with its ambitious AI integration, blending innovation with the company’s signature quirky style. As these tools evolve, Epic aims to make healthcare more efficient and patient-friendly, but only time will tell how widely these advancements will be adopted. For now, the healthcare industry is watching closely to see how Epic’s AI-driven vision unfolds.
