Can AI fix the operating room? This startup thinks so

Hospitals lose two to four hours of operating room time daily due to scheduling chaos and coordination problems between surgeries, creating significant financial losses. Startup Akara is tackling this issue by developing an AI-powered system that functions like air traffic control for hospitals, using thermal sensors to optimize room scheduling and turnover. The company recently earned recognition on Time's Best Inventions of 2025 list for its innovative approach to solving costly operational inefficiencies in healthcare facilities.