🤖 🏥 How Robots and Artificial Intelligence Are Saving Lives in Los Angeles Hospitals

Christian Hetrick

Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.

🤖 🏥 How Robots and Artificial Intelligence Are Saving Lives in Los Angeles Hospitals
https://medium.com/@helenjoy88/case-study-on-ethical-considerations-in-the-implementation-of-healthcare-robots-cd482f7696ed

🔦 Spotlight

Image Source: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

The integration of robots and artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare in Los Angeles, with hospitals increasingly employing these technologies to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. According to a Morgan Stanley report from August 2023, 94% of healthcare companies are utilizing AI or machine learning (ML), with the industry's budget allocation for AI and ML projected to double from 5.7% in 2022 to 10.5% this year. These technologies are being used for various applications, from autonomous robots delivering medications to AI systems predicting emergency room wait times and identifying life-threatening infections like sepsis (the third most common cause of death in U.S. hospitals).

Institutions like City of Hope are pioneering AI applications in healthcare, such as real-time clinical decision support tools. City of Hope's sepsis prediction model utilizes AI to monitor patients and detect subtle changes in their vitals, providing early alerts to medical staff, which has led to decreased ICU admissions and improved patient outcomes. Similarly, Antelope Valley Medical Center has implemented autonomous robots like Diligent Robotics Inc.'s Moxi to streamline medication and lab deliveries, reducing staff workload and enhancing efficiency.

Cedars-Sinai is leveraging AI through its CS Connect app, utilizing a chatbot to interact with patients and assist in scheduling appointments and providing diagnostic insights to physicians. Moreover, the hospital is actively combating AI bias to ensure fair and accurate treatment across patient demographics. UCLA Health's Robotic Surgery program, led by Dr. Mark Girgis, has been utilizing robotic surgery for over seven years, offering enhanced recovery, less pain, and shorter hospitalizations for patients. Girgis highlights the benefits of competition driving down costs and improving accessibility to robotic surgery platforms, such as the Da Vinci surgical systems.

The widespread adoption of AI and robotics in Los Angeles hospitals not only represents significant advancements in healthcare but also offers opportunities for the city's tech industry. Hospitals like Cedars-Sinai and Children's Hospital Los Angeles are leading the way with innovative AI-driven solutions. As a result, LA has the potential to attract top health tech talent, bolstering its growing health tech sector.

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Diddo, a startup that uses computer vision to identify products in videos and enables viewers to purchase products seen on screen without leaving the video, raised a $2.8M Seed Round led by Link Ventures - learn more
  • Shinkei Systems, a developer of fish-processing tech, raised a $6M Seed Round led by Cantos and joined by 8VC, Impatient Ventures, Susa/Humba Ventures, Carya Venture Partners, Ravelin Capital, Red & Blue Ventures, and Undeterred Capital - learn more
  • Moso, a shop-to-earn crypto rewards startup, raised a $2M Seed Round from Symbolic Capital, Dao5, Coinlist, and Polygon Ventures - learn more
  • Holograph, a startup whose platform enables the creation and management of tokens that can operate across multiple blockchain networks, raised an $11M funding round co-led by Mechanism Capital and Selini Capital, with Northrock Capital, Arca, Courtside Ventures, and Hartmann Capital also stepping up - learn more
  • LiNova Energy, a developer of polymer cathodes for batteries, raised a $15.8M Series A led by Catalus Capital and joined by Saft - learn more
  • Altruist, a custodian for RIAs, raised a $169M Series E led by Iconiq Growth and joined by Granite Capital Management in addition to insiders Adams Street Partners and Sound Ventures - learn more

LA Exits

  • Insight Treatment Programs, a provider of teen outpatient programs for mental health and addiction treatment in Southern California was acquired by Torrance, CA-based Your Behavioral Health, a portfolio company of Comvest Partners - learn more
  • SameSky Health, a patient engagement company merged with Tampa, FL-based GroundGame.Health, a startup linking community-based organizations with health plans and providers. After they combined the company raised a $17M funding round led by 7wireVentures - learn more
  • Viking Holdings Ltd, a cruise operator based in Woodland Hills raised $1.5B in its IPO. On Wednesday Viking (VIK) closed at $26.10, 9% higher than the IPO price ($24) - learn more

📖 What We’re Reading

  • Triller Corp., the Hollywood rival to TikTok, is being bought in an astounding $4 billion deal by AGBA Group Holding Ltd - learn more
  • Despite the somewhat bleak gaming venture landscape, Santa Monica's Griffin Gaming Partners gears up for expansion, tapping into Hollywood's top talent and exploring new avenues in IP licensing and investment - learn more
  • Sony and Apollo bid $26 billion for Paramount Global, intensifying the competition for the renowned film and TV company - learn more
  • Rivian will receive an $827 million incentive package from Illinois to expand its manufacturing plant - learn more
  • SAG-AFTRA partners with Nielsen for third-party streaming content measurement, ensuring transparency and accuracy in tracking hits on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video - learn more
  • New platform, ProdPro Network, aims to help Hollywood crew members find work - learn more
LA’s Data Center Supply Crunch

🔦 Spotlight

Happy Friday Los Angeles!

The Los Angeles data center market is experiencing a significant supply crunch, ranking 12th in growth among top markets since 2020 with only 265 megawatts of colocation inventory (data centers where businesses rent space to store their computing hardware and servers). Despite this, demand is surging, driven by AI, cloud, and hyperscaler needs, with AI accounting for 20% of new data center demand nationally. This scarcity is creating a highly competitive environment, with vacancy rates at a record low 3% and asking rents rising 13-37% year-over-year. For Los Angeles, this presents both challenges and opportunities in the big picture. The city's strategic position as a global entertainment hub and its connectivity to international markets through subsea cables make it an attractive location for data centers. However, the limited inventory and rising costs could potentially hinder growth and innovation in the tech sector. To maintain its competitive edge, Los Angeles will need to address these constraints through new developments, such as GI Partners' 16 MW addition at One Wilshire, and by focusing on high-connectivity, high-power capacity submarkets. The city's tech community should prepare for a landscape of increased competition for quality data center space, higher costs, and the need for innovative solutions to meet growing demand, particularly in AI and cloud services. While Los Angeles faces a challenging data center supply crunch, its strategic advantages and ongoing developments offer a promising path forward.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Daisy, a one-year-old startup that designs and installs smart home and office technology systems, raised a $7M Series B co-led by Goldcrest and Bungalow, with previous investors Bullish and Burst Capital also stepping up. The company has raised a total of $13.3 million. - learn more

LA Venture Funds


    ✨ Featured Event ✨

    LA TECH CEO SUMMIT

    LA’s tech leadership is set to reunite after a long break! This two day summit will focus on building strong connections, sharing insights, and fortifying the local tech community.

    Learn More Here

    Register Here


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    🌐Decentralizing Data & Vacations: Sony's Web3 Leap and Sensible Weather's KOA Partnership

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Long Weekend Los Angeles!

    Sony Group is making a significant push into the blockchain and Web3 space, leveraging its Sony Pictures and Sony Music divisions along with a new global incubator. The company has developed the Soneium blockchain through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture aimed at accelerating Web3 innovation. Sony is launching the "Soneium Minato" public testnet and a developer incubation program called "Soneium Spark" to foster ecosystem growth and adoption. The initiative includes strategic partnerships with Web3 companies such as Astar Network, Circle, and Optimism. Sony aims to create a fan community centered on creators and connect diverse values through Soneium, with the ultimate goal of integrating Web3 services into people's daily lives. While the company acknowledges the challenges faced by Web3, including limited user adoption and the need for mainstream use cases, it remains committed to decentralizing the concentrated power of the current internet landscape.

    In completely unrelated and more digestible news Sensible Weather, a leading weather protection provider that we’ve featured many times, has partnered with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) to offer Weather Guarantees at over 450 KOA Campgrounds across the United States. This collaboration allows campers to purchase weather protection for their outdoor experiences, providing peace of mind and potential reimbursements of up to 100% of their nightly rate if weather conditions exceed predefined parameters. The partnership comes at an opportune time, as camping has seen a significant increase in popularity, with active campers growing by 68% over the past decade. If you are looking to do some camping this fall make sure you look into Sensible Weather protections to ensure that unpredictable weather won't dampen (nailed it) your camping experience.


    🤝 Venture Deals

    LA Companies

    • Space and Time, a blockchain data warehouse developer, raised a $20M Series A led by Framework Ventures. - learn more
    • Miris, a provider of spatial content streaming solutions, raised a $26M Seed Round led by IAG Capital Partners. - learn more

    LA Venture Funds

    • Fika Ventures led a $4.55M Seed Round for Revenew, a San Francisco startup that aims to help digital platforms and marketplaces manage their payments and optimize financial operations. - learn more
    • Bonfire Ventures participated in a $25M Series A for Supio, an AI platform for personal injury law firms. - learn more
    • Amplify LA participated in a $2M Seed Round for Pryzm, a startup that provides tools and data to help businesses navigate government contracting more efficiently. - learn more

      ✨ Featured Event ✨

      LA TECH CEO SUMMIT

      LA’s tech leadership is set to reunite after a long break! This two day summit will focus on building strong connections, sharing insights, and fortifying the local tech community.

      Learn More Here

      Register Here


      Download the dot.LA App

      Personality Assessments Improving Workplace Dynamics

      Misunderstandings can have significant and sometimes severe impacts, far beyond the hilarious cake pictured above. Many organizations are increasingly using personality assessments to improve team dynamics and productivity. Tests like the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and DISC assessment are valuable tools for developing existing teams in addition to hiring new employees. These assessments provide insights into team members' motivations, communication styles, and work preferences, helping colleagues understand each other better. By highlighting the different personalities within a team, these tests can enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and optimize task assignments based on individual strengths. As companies aim for greater efficiency and collaboration, the Enneagram, MBTI, and DISC assessments are becoming essential for transforming established teams into more effective and cohesive units.


      Image Source: iEQ9

      Enneagram

      The Enneagram test is a sophisticated personality assessment that categorizes individuals into nine distinct personality types, each defined by unique motivations, fears,and behavioral patterns. This holistic approach enhances team dynamics in a business setting by fostering self-awareness, improving communication, and facilitating conflict resolution among team members. By understanding different personality types, teams can optimize their composition, tailor professional development, and create a more empathetic and collaborative environment. This framework not only helps leaders adapt their styles to better support diverse team members but also promotes inclusivity and effective collaboration, ultimately leading to improved team performance, productivity, and retention.

      Resources:iEQ9. We recommend getting an Enneagram coach to get the most out of the results.

      Key Features: Focus on core motivations. Accounts for personality shifts under stress or growth. Offers practical, actionable guidance for personal growth. Uses a dynamic, adaptive questioning approach. Claims 95% accuracy rate through advanced techniques.


      Image Source: DiSC Profile

      DiSC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness)

      The DiSC assessment is a widely used behavioral analysis tool that categorizes individuals into four primary personality types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. For businesses, DiSC provides valuable insights into employees' communication styles, work preferences, and motivations. By understanding these behavioral tendencies, teams can improve collaboration, reduce conflicts, and enhance overall productivity. Implementing DiSC in a business setting can lead to more effective leadership, tailored communication strategies, and optimized task allocation based on individual strengths.

      Resources:DiSC Profile.

      Key Features: Designed specifically for workplace applications. Focuses on observable behaviors rather than psychological traits. Widely researched and validated over 40+ years. Provides practical strategies for improving interactions.


      Image Source: The Myers-Briggs Company

      The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

      The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals into 16 distinct personality types based on four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. For businesses, the MBTI provides valuable insights into employees' communication styles, decision-making processes, and work preferences.This helps promote a more productive workplace, and enables employees to become involved in more meaningful ways, all while leveraging everyone’s unique strengths.

      Resources:The Myers-Briggs Company.

      Key Features: Focuses on preferences rather than traits. Focuses on how people perceive and judge information. Widely used in business and career counseling


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