Jacques Marescaux, president of IRCAD France, shares his insights into artificial intelligence and computer-assisted surgery. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Seenew Medical Technology, a company under the umbrella of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, offered possible answers to what patients, hospitals and medical staff will be like in the future based on the questions and difficulties they face today.

Product Director Cheng Zhengyi said Seenew is working on a platform that aims to provide considerate healthcare services to the public, equip medical staff with handy support, and make the hospital a more integrated and comprehensive whole.

"To help everyone live better, that's why Alibaba puts healthcare and happiness as its two major projects," Cheng said.

Jacques Marescaux, president of IRCAD, a France-based research and education institute, shared his insights into artificial intelligence and computer-assisted surgery, while Hwang Hee, professor at the Medical School of Seoul National University in South Korea, used the example of the journey of the school’s affiliated Bundang Hospital in exploring and structuring a digital future.

"The time has come. It's our duty, whosoever a director, doctor or other industrial insider, to go hand in hand and embrace the future," said Shen Jie, executive dean of China Hospital Development Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The forum was co-hosted by the China Hospital Development Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, South Korea's second largest international conglomerate SK Group, and Shanghai Renji Medical Management Co. Garth Moon, vice president of SK SUPEX Council, SK Group, was also in attendance.

SK Group, its semiconductor branch SK Hynix, and IRCAD France signed a memorandum of understanding to co-build a research and training center in Wuxi, Jiangsu province on Dec 10. The center will be located inside the SK Hynix Hospital at the city's southeast corner with focus on minimal invasive therapeutics development. It reflects SK's dedication to the public good and also the Wuxi government's planning to enhance local medical and healthcare capabilities.