October 13, 2026 | GCI Speaker Series with Soren Harner
Entrepreneur and AI innovator Soren Harner shared an inspiring look at his 15-year journey developing technologies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, robotics, and healthcare. Drawing from experiences in startups, research, and product development, he reflected on how many ambitious ideas often arrive before the technology is ready. Rather than viewing those efforts as failures, he emphasized persistence and the importance of revisiting meaningful challenges as new advances in AI make previously impossible solutions achievable.
A major focus of the talk was the use of AI to improve safety and efficiency in healthcare. Soren highlighted projects ranging from augmented reality systems that guide medical staff through complex procedures to computer vision tools that monitor hand hygiene and help prevent hospital-acquired infections. He also showcased current work using AI to identify, track, and inspect surgical instruments, helping hospitals reduce costs, improve workflow, and create more time for critical safety checks. These applications demonstrate how targeted AI solutions can address specific problems while contributing to broader improvements in patient care.
Looking ahead, Soren explored the emerging field of “physical AI,” where vision-language-action models enable robots to perform increasingly complex tasks autonomously. He stressed, however, that human oversight remains essential for ensuring safety, trust, and accountability. In closing, he encouraged students to tackle large global challenges one manageable step at a time, engage directly with the people affected by those problems, and remain adaptable as technology evolves. His message reinforced the value of persistence, collaboration, and human-centered innovation in creating meaningful impact.
Learn more about Soren’s company, JotVision, here: JotVision | The system of action for your data and operations.
Watch the talk here: Zoom/Recording for Soren Harner Lecture – Zoom.
