Artificial intelligence (AI) is permeating every industry across the world. While the use case varies for each situation, it’s undoubtedly becoming a powerful tool for users, offering benefits that exceed expectations. As the comfort level with AI increases, it will be incorporated into more circumstances and new tasks.

Within the medtech space, it’s being leveraged in a variety of areas, from device manufacturing through to the point of care. It’s also being used for aspects not often discussed, such as part of M&A activity. However, for that situation, it must be coupled with a uniquely human counterpart—situational intelligence (SI). The two must be complementary for a successful deal.

To help explain how AI and SI can co-exist in medtech M&A to achieve the greatest outcome, Dave Sheppard, Co-Founder and Managing Director of MedWorld Advisors, answered a variety of questions on the topic. In the following Q&A, he explains the significance of each in a negotiation and highlights what each offers.

Sean Fenske: First, can you please explain how AI is being leveraged in the medtech industry?

Dave Sheppard: We’ve seen it firsthand—2026 has become the year AI moved from pilot projects to actual implementation across medtech. It’s showing up in…