How will AI transform operating theatres in 2030?

In the spring of 2025, France’s operating theatres are at the heart of a profound transformation. Far from the isolated wards of yesterday, they are being transformed into sophisticated digital ecosystems, where artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and data mining converge to optimize every stage of the surgical act. This revolution, well established in France, is redefining practices, professions and safety for the benefit of patients.

Artificial intelligence for surgical precision

• French flagship Volta Medical illustrates this progress with its AI expert in detecting complex electrophysiological signals, a valuable asset for interventional cardiologists.
• Moon Surgical, with its intuitive robotic assistant designed to support the surgeon without replacing him or her, and to integrate with existing infrastructures, bears witness to a pragmatic, human-centered approach.
• 💬 “AI doesn’t replace the surgeon, it augments him.”

The European regulatory framework, in particular the forthcoming AI regulation and CE marking of medical devices incorporating AI, is a key factor to monitor to ensure safe and ethical adoption of these technologies in the French operating room.

📊 Data, video, traceability: blocks become intelligent

• Caresyntax, a global player with a significant presence in France, transforms the operating room into a real-time connected environment, capturing and analyzing surgical data.
• Surgical data analysis, video recordings for training and traceability purposes, and seamless integration with existing hospital systems (HIS) are the cornerstones of this transformation.
• 💬 “We’re moving from a human-driven environment to one augmented by data.”

Compliance with HDS (Healthcare Data Hosting) requirements in France and the RGPD at European level is paramount to guarantee the security and confidentiality of sensitive data generated in the connected operating room. Cybersecurity is a major concern requiring robust solutions.

🔬 When hospitals, schools and start-ups innovate

• The BOPA Innovation Chair, a collaborative initiative between AP-HP, Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT ) and STATION H: Plateforme de Test et d’Expérimentation en robotique médicale et hospitalière, embodies a model of industrial innovation “à la française”.
• Its aim is to test, experiment with and transfer robotic and digital innovations to the demanding environment of the operating room, with an emphasis on ergonomics, efficiency and integration into care paths.
• 💬 “France is inventing its own model of industrial innovation here.”

Similar initiatives are emerging in Europe, underlining the importance of the local innovation ecosystem and the role of French healthcare clusters in stimulating these collaborations.

⚙️ And tomorrow?

• The future of French operating theatres looks set to be safer, more flexible and intrinsically collaborative.
• Ongoing team training, integrating new digital tools right from the design stage, is a major challenge.
• Real-time monitoring of activity will enable optimized management of resources, contributing to the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.
• The challenges go beyond simple technological integration: they encompass crucial organizational, economic and ethical aspects.
• Who decides on AI implementation? What are the clinical and regulatory validation processes? How can these innovations be financed? And how can we communicate transparently with patients about the use of these advanced technologies?

Integrating these technologies with existing HIS represents a major interoperability challenge. Rigorous macro-economic evaluation is essential to ensure the sustainability of these innovations. In addition, clear governance of data and AI, involving healthcare professionals right from the design stage, is essential for successful adoption.

🧠 Our point of view

At JuliaShift, we believe that the success of these profound transformations in French operating theatres rests on three fundamental pillars:

• Genuine, seamless interoperability with existing hospital information systems.
• Ethical and transparent governance of AI data and algorithms, placing patient safety at the center.
• Informed support and active involvement of healthcare professionals, right from the design and deployment phases.

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About the author

Nicolas Schneider is a strategic advisor in digital healthcare transformation and founder of JuliaShift. With 17 years’ experience at the French Army Health Service and 8 years in digital transformation consulting, he assists MedTech startups and healthcare establishments in their financing strategy, structuring pharma partnerships and preparing for fund-raising.

Specialties: healthcare innovation financing, MedTech fund-raising structuring, pharma industrial partnerships, IA regulatory compliance.