Montefiore’s George Stein on Why AI Hype Might Be Just What Healthcare Needs

AI hype is everywhere—especially in healthcare. But Montefiore Health System’s VP of Digital, George Stein, thinks that might not be such a bad thing.

In this episode of Cedar Talks, Cedar’s Chief Strategy Officer, Dugan Winkie, sits down with George for a refreshingly honest conversation about AI in healthcare. With the real-world perspective of someone who’s been implementing these technologies firsthand, George offers both optimism and pragmatism. You’ll hear why he believes in the power of productive hype—while getting his insider’s framework for identifying solutions that unlock real value for patients and providers alike.

Watch the full episode

Conversation highlights

AI: This time is different

George got his start during the HITECH era and the rise of EHRs—and he’s lived through every tech hype cycle since. Here’s why AI stands apart:

The real cost of doing nothing

George explains that delaying AI adoption comes with a steeper cost than other tech investments, leaving providers at even greater risk of falling behind.

Finding signal in the AI noise

Having sat through countless vendor pitches, George knows the red flags to watch for. This one is especially critical, given the resources required to deploy AI.

Ben Kraus is Director, Content Marketing at Cedar