The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) will hold its first-ever Digital & AI Summit in Berlin on November 21-22, marking a watershed moment in worldwide cardiac care. The two-day event brings together top cardiologists, tech experts, regulators, industry innovators, and patient advocates to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise cardiovascular treatment. 

The conference will have 61 sessions, including three main roundtables addressing the most difficult issues in digital healthcare: trust, user experience, and regulation. According to experts, these subjects are crucial since, while AI is fast progressing, its real-world application in clinics remains limited. 

"Clinical implementation of AI is currently the final frontier we are attempting to reach, but approximately 90% of what we have so far are developments, proof-of-concept studies, and early validations," said Summit co-chair Associate Professor Nico Bruining of Erasmus University Medical Centre. "Few AI tools are in clinical usage now because they require validation, regulatory approval, and funding. Post-market surveillance, ethical safeguards, patient acceptance, and clinician education are all necessary for successful implementation. 

The first roundtable, Trustworthiness of AI, will discuss how to guarantee AI technologies are safe, accurate, and dependable. According to Frank Rademakers of KU Leuven, AI should be judged in the same way that any medical test or treatment is. "AI tools should be treated the same as any other diagnostic or therapeutic agent used in medicine. They should be assessed for their intended purpose in the intended population and setting using suitable clinical studies, including but not limited to randomised controlled trials." 

He adds a major concern: unlike medications, AI systems can "drift"—that is, their performance may alter as they learn from fresh data. This necessitates continual monitoring. 

Patients will also have a voice. According to Inga Drossart of the ESC Patient Forum, AI in cardiology and medicine should complement human care rather than replace it. AI can significantly improve care while retaining empathy, communication, and the human touch at the forefront of medicine." 

The second roundtable focuses on user experience, with physicians discussing real-world applications. According to David Duncker of the Hannover Heart Rhythm Centre, the use of AI in ECG diagnoses relies on clinician trust. AI-powered Holter ECG analysis has already been applied in clinical practice. However, the prediction of future atrial fibrillation is not yet suitable for clinical decision-making. 

The last discussion, on regulation, policies, and economics, will look into why healthcare still lacks clear frameworks for AI. According to Professor Alan Fraser of the University Hospital of Wales, referring to the potential of 'artificial intelligence' without critical thinking is not beneficial. Key needs include complete transparency of any new tool's performance in a major independent retest study." 

According to Professor Bruining, the summit aspires to create a future in which artificial intelligence strengthens cardiology in a safe and responsible manner. "AI has already demonstrated great promise..." "But trust, usability, cost, safety, and regulations are critical," he argues.