Memo to tech companies: Don't call AI tools 'nurses' | ViVE 2026

Los Angeles - Nurses bristle at the suggestion that AI can replace the role and work of nurses.

And they especially dislike health tech solutions that are marketed as “AI nurses.”

So their message to tech companies is simple: Stop it. Now.

That was one loud and clear theme from a discussion about nurses and technology at the ViVE digital health conference, which kicked off Sunday.

A panel of nursing leaders denounced the marketing of “AI nurses” and suggestions that AI can offer a viable substitute of nurses. And they did it before an audience that undoubtedly included some from health technology companies.

Tonychris Nnaka, associate dean for research & associate professor of nursing at UNT Health in Fort Worth Texas, participated in the panel and said marketing an AI tool as similar to a nurse in any form is “an insult to the profession.” He implored tech leaders in the audience to avoid using such language.

The panel echoed other discussions in recent years as healthcare technology companies aim to sell new solutions to hospitals. Legislation has been introduced to prohibit the marketing of AI technology as “AI nurses”.

Jing Wang, dean of the Florida State University College of Nursing, is leading the nation’s first master’s nursing program on AI in healthcare. In a 2024 interview with Chief Healthcare Executive®, she also spoke out against marketing AI technology improperly.

“We are a profession,” she said. “We can't be placed by a chatbot.”

So if a health tech company is looking to have nurses and hospitals embrace a new solution and promises that it will do the work of nurses, don’t be surprised if that message isn’t well received.