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Artificial intelligence (AI) is top of mind for orthopedic leaders as they head into 2026. We recently asked the BONEZONE Advisory Board which technologies they would like to learn more about. AI was unanimous at the top of the list. I’ll bet most of you can relate.
AI is already accelerating how we work and make decisions. While there’s significant buzz around new AI platforms, data generation and ethical use cases, companies aren’t waiting to employ the technology in their product development initiatives. In orthopedics, it’s helping engineers model performance, optimize materials and speed product development.
As Senior Editor Dan Cook explores in the December issue of BONEZONE Magazine, Xenco Medical and restor3d are proving what’s possible by using AI to model biomaterial performance and design patient-specific implants that are more anatomically accurate and reach the market faster. Both companies spoke of AI as a game-changer that could speed innovation for smaller companies in orthopedics.
Xenco Medical CEO Jason Haider is particularly excited by the possibility of combining AI with simulated clinical trials as a replacement for physical testing.
“You can imagine the impact that’s going to have on R&D,” he said. “Small design teams won’t need huge budgets to run massive trials. They’ll be able to iterate quickly, spin ideas out of their labs, run them through in silico models and get FDA clearance based on those outcomes. It’d be transformative.”
As we put together our final issue for 2025, we considered the market drivers that will shape orthopedic design and development in the years to come. Robotic-assisted surgical systems and the migration of procedures from hospitals to ASCs join AI on that list. We spoke with startups and strategics about how these trends have evolved their thinking and product development initiatives, and we hope their insight sparks ideas for how you can apply emerging technologies in your own work.
Looking to 2026 and beyond, which technologies are you watching most closely? Which do you believe will redefine orthopedics by 2030? We’d love to hear your perspective as the industry enters a new era of technological innovation. Please reach out if you’d like to connect.
