From AI diagnostics to exoskeletons, the event highlights how healthcare tech is moving into real-world use
Updated
April 8, 2026 10:43 AM
Tesla Bot Optimus, designed by Tesla. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
The China International Medical Equipment Fair 2026 will open in Shanghai from April 9 to 12 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. It is one of the largest gatherings in the medical device industry. This year’s edition will cover more than 320,000 square metres. Nearly 5,000 companies and brands are expected to participate, representing over 20 countries and regions. Organisers also expect more than 200,000 professional visitors and buyers from around 150 markets.
A key focus this year is the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. One of the headline technologies is an AI agent designed to carry out multiple diagnoses from a single scan. The exhibition will also feature diagnostic software that is already in clinical use. In addition, an integrated platform for AI training and inference will be showcased to improve computing capacity within healthcare institutions.
Robotics will also play a central role at the event. New systems across surgical procedures, rehabilitation and elderly care are expected to be presented. Together, these developments point to a steady move toward more precise and assisted forms of care. Many of these technologies are designed to support clinicians and patients, especially in tasks that require consistent accuracy or long-term physical assistance.
For the first time, the event will introduce a dedicated Future Tech Arena. It will focus on brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence and university-led innovation. The space will include AI-assisted MRI systems for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It will also feature brain-computer interface technologies used for cognitive assessment and training, along with wearable robotic exoskeletons.
Alongside product showcases, the event will continue to act as a platform for international trade and collaboration. An International Zone will host exhibitors from countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. This provides a view of how different markets are approaching medical technology. It also reflects the global nature of innovation and deployment in this sector.
The programme will include a set of networking and exchange formats under its “We” initiative. These include discussion stages with representatives from consulates and industry organisations, as well as matchmaking sessions based on verified buyer demand. Guided tours will also be organised to help international visitors connect with relevant exhibitors. In parallel, organisers are working with hospital partners to provide medical support services for attendees during the event.
Across the four days, hundreds of forums are scheduled. These will bring together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to discuss regulatory frameworks, market access and the future of healthcare innovation. Some of these sessions will be led by the Global Harmonization Working Party in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, with a focus on regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation in medical devices.
As healthcare systems continue to adopt digital tools and advanced equipment, events like CMEF provide a clear view of how these technologies are being developed and applied. The scale of participation this year reflects continued activity across both innovation and international collaboration in the medical device sector.
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The IT services firm strengthens its collaboration with Google Cloud to help enterprises move AI from pilot projects to production systems
Updated
March 17, 2026 1:02 AM
Google Cloud building. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Enterprise interest in AI has moved quickly from experimentation to execution. Many organizations have tested generative tools, but turning those tools into systems that can run inside daily operations remains a separate challenge. Cognizant, an IT services firm, is expanding its partnership with Google Cloud to help enterprises move from AI pilots to fully deployed, production-ready systems.
Cognizant and Google Cloud are deepening their collaboration around Google’s Gemini Enterprise and Google Workspace. Cognizant is deploying these tools across its own workforce first, using them to support internal productivity and collaboration. The idea is simple: test and refine the systems internally, then package similar capabilities for clients.
The focus of the partnership is what Cognizant calls “agentic AI.” In practical terms, this refers to AI systems that can plan, act and complete tasks with limited human input. Instead of generating isolated outputs, these systems are designed to fit into business workflows and carry out structured tasks.
To make that workable at scale, Cognizant is building delivery infrastructure around the technology. The company is setting up a dedicated Gemini Enterprise Center of Excellence and formalizing an Agent Development Lifecycle. This framework covers the full process, from early design and blueprinting to validation and production rollout. The aim is to give enterprises a clearer path from the AI concept to a deployed system.
Cognizant also plans to introduce a bundled productivity offering that combines Gemini Enterprise with Google Workspace. The targeted use cases are operational rather than experimental. These include collaborative content creation, supplier communications and other workflow-heavy processes that can be standardized and automated.
Beyond productivity tools, Cognizant is integrating Gemini into its broader service platforms. Through Cognizant Ignition, enabled by Gemini, the company supports early-stage discovery and prototyping while helping clients strengthen their data foundations. Its Agent Foundry platform provides pre-configured and no-code capabilities for specific use cases such as AI-powered contact centers and intelligent order management. These tools are designed to reduce the amount of custom development required for each deployment.
Scaling is another element of the strategy. Cognizant, a multi-year Google Cloud Data Partner of the Year award winner, says it will rely on a global network of Gemini-trained specialists to deliver these systems. The company is also expanding work tied to Google Distributed Cloud and showcasing capabilities through its Google Experience Zones and Gen AI Studios.
For Google Cloud, the partnership reinforces its enterprise AI ecosystem. Cloud providers can offer models and infrastructure, but enterprise adoption often depends on service partners that can integrate tools into existing systems and manage ongoing operations. By aligning closely with Cognizant, Google strengthens its ability to move Gemini from platform capability to production deployment.
The announcement does not introduce a new AI model. Instead, it reflects a shift in emphasis. The core question is no longer whether AI tools exist, but how they are implemented, governed and scaled across large organizations. Cognizant’s expanded role suggests that execution frameworks, internal deployment and structured delivery models are becoming central to how enterprises approach AI.
In that sense, the partnership is less about new technology and more about operational maturity. It highlights how AI is moving from isolated pilots to managed systems embedded in business processes — a transition that will likely define the next phase of enterprise adoption.