Can AI fix the operating room? This startup thinks so

Startups Can AI fix the operating room? This startup thinks so Theresa Loconsolo 8:48 PM PST · December 23, 2025 25 min Loading the player… There’s plenty of hype around AI and robots in healthcare, but the problem that’s actually costing hospitals money right now is operating room coordination. Two to four hours of OR time is lost every single day, not because of the surgeries themselves, but because of everything in between from manual scheduling and coordination chaos to guesswork about room turnover. Today on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, we’re bringing you a conversation that TechCrunch AI Editor Russell Brandom had with Conor McGinn, co-founder and CEO of Akara, the startup that recently landed a spot on Time’s Best Inventions of 2025 and is building what’s essentially air traffic control for hospitals using thermal sensors and AI. Subscribe to Equity on YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Overcast , Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads , at @EquityPod. Topics AI , Akara , Biotech & Health , Equity Video , Hardware , healthcare , Startups , surgical robotics , TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Theresa Loconsolo Audio Producer Theresa Loconsolo is an audio producer at TechCrunch focusing on Equity, the network’s flagship podcast. Before joining TechCrunch in 2022, she was one of 2 producers at a four-station conglomerate where she wrote, recorded, voiced and edited content, and engineered live performances and interviews from guests like lovelytheband. Theresa is based in New Jersey and holds a bachelors degree in Communication from Monmouth University. You can contact or verify outreach from Theresa by emailing theresa.loconsolo@techcrunch.com . View Bio Dates TBD Locations TBA Plan ahead for the 2026 StrictlyVC events. Hear straight-from-the-source candid insights in on-stage fireside sessions and meet the builders and backers shaping the industry. Join the waitlist to get first access to the lowest-priced tickets and important updates. Waitlist Now Most Popular ChatGPT launches a year-end review like Spotify Wrapped Sarah Perez Waymo resumes service in San Francisco after robotaxis stall during blackout Anthony Ha Google and Apple reportedly warn employees on visas to avoid international travel Anthony Ha Ex-Splunk execs’ startup Resolve AI hits $1B valuation with Series A Marina Temkin Yann LeCun confirms his new ‘world model’ startup, reportedly seeks $5B+ valuation Julie Bort Meta is developing a new image and video model for a 2026 release, report says Ivan Mehta Tech provider for NHS England confirms data breach Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch AI TechCrunch's AI experts cover the latest news in the fast-moving field. TechCrunch Space Every Monday, gets you up to speed on the latest advances in aerospace. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. No newsletters selected. Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . Related Startups The 9 top biotech startups...

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