Dr. Robert Wagner, head of image guided therapy for CEE, discusses with the BBJ how the firm can partner with state healthcare in Hungary, the quiet revolution being worked by IGT, and how AI is increasingly used to support diagnostics, automate workflows, and improve efficiency.

BBJ: Philips has a global and regional footprint. What is the scale of your operation in Hungary?

Robert Wagner: Philips has a significant presence in Hungary as a brand. Many people know us by our consumer products, including shavers, toothbrushes and the Avent line. In reality, we are primarily a healthcare company, offering hospitals advanced medical technologies, including imaging systems (CT, MR, X-ray, and ultrasound), patient monitoring devices, and software solutions.

BBJ: How hospitals and the healthcare system in general are structured is the choice of the government. How can a medtech company like Philips act as a partner for the state?

RW: While there are many truly remarkable advances in healthcare, from earlier diagnoses to better treatments, the reality is that the system is under immense pressure everywhere. Governments face rising numbers of patients, staff shortages, and budget constraints, all of which are contributing to growing waiting lists. Philips strategically adapts its approach to local needs and infrastructure, partnering closely with governments to deliver innovative technological solutions that advance national healthcare priorities and strengthen health systems.

BBJ: Your role is regional; how does Hungarian healthcare compare with neighboring countries?

RW: Hungarian healthcare is broadly comparable to that of neighboring countries, though each market faces its own specific challenges. Maybe one of the most significant differences lies in the role and relative weight of private service providers, as well as how these services are integrated into each country’s healthcare system. This often makes a big difference in access to care.

BBJ: Your specialty is image-guided therapy, or IGT. Could you provide a brief explanation of what this is?

RW: For nearly 50 years, technology has allowed doctors to treat serious conditions without opening up the body. Instead, they make a tiny incision and travel through blood vessels, much like highways, to reach problems in the heart, brain, or liver. This quiet revolution has transformed operating rooms into advanced cath labs, enabling patients to recover faster and spend less time in the hospital. It’s a profound shift in care, one made possible by the technology we deliver. As someone with a medical background, it’s deeply meaningful to me to help transform patient outcomes every day.

BBJ: We hear a lot nowadays about AI being used to filter images and spot anomalies. How prevalent is this, and what sort of difference can it make?

RW: One of the most exciting and transformative trends in healthcare today is the rise of artificial intelligence. AI offers a powerful solution to the growing workload faced by medical staff by automating routine administrative tasks or supporting diagnostics, for example, in radiology, where it can deliver rapid, initial image analyses. The conversation is no longer about whether AI can improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency (it clearly can) but about how to manage questions of responsibility and trust. At Philips, we believe AI should always work under human supervision. It will never replace the clinical team, but it can free up valuable time that healthcare professionals can dedicate to what matters most: caring for their patients.

BBJ: What other areas can AI help with in your field?

RW: AI goes far beyond imaging: it streamlines workflows, automates reporting, and supports clinical decision-making, reducing administrative burdens and elevating the quality of care. This is at the heart of healthcare’s digital transformation, an evolution I see as not just inevitable, but essential. However, its success depends on working in true partnership with medical professionals. We must ensure that our enthusiasm for technology does not add to clinicians’ workload by overwhelming them with data, but instead empowers them with the clear, actionable insights they need to deliver exceptional patient care.

BBJ: Besides digitalization and AI, the other great theme of our times is sustainability. How sustainable are Philips’ operations, and what are you doing to make them more so?

RW: For us, sustainable development is not just an idea; it is concrete actions that we have been implementing for years. Since 2020, we have been climate-neutral in our operations. All the energy we use comes from renewable sources. We design our products according to EcoDesign principles, which means we prioritize energy efficiency, recyclability, and reusability of components. Currently, 24% of our revenue comes from products created in a manner consistent with the so-called circular economy.

BBJ: The “Philips Future Health Index 2025” report was recently published for the 10th time. What are its main findings?

RW: The report, titled “Building Trust in Healthcare AI,” is the world’s largest survey of its kind, gathering insights from nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals and 16,000 patients across 16 countries. It highlights an urgent need for accelerated AI adoption to address care delays and looming workforce shortages that could leave millions without timely care by 2030. The report reveals that staff shortages are already resulting in significant patient harm, with 73% of patients waiting an average of 70 days for specialist care and a third reporting that their health has worsened due to these delays. However, a trust gap persists, with doctors more optimistic than patients about AI’s benefits, and concerns about accountability and bias hindering adoption. The report advocates for human-centric AI integration, emphasizing design centered on user needs, robust training, clear regulatory guardrails, and robust cross-sector collaboration to enable better care for more people.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of July 11, 2025.