SAS wins Fast Company nod for Danish hospital digital twin

Data analytics firm SAS has earned a spot on Fast Company's 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list in the Applied AI category. The recognition highlights a specific digital twin project developed in collaboration with Sterilcentral, a Danish sterilisation provider.

The initiative focuses on tracking and managing the flow of sterilised surgical instruments used in hospitals across Denmark's capital region. By applying artificial intelligence to operational testing and logistics, the technology aims to improve the handling of these critical tools and prevent sterilisation delays from disrupting hospital operating theatre schedules.

According to Sterilcentral Chief Executive Officer Thomas Bogeskov, the deployment successfully shifted the company's understanding of internal operations by revealing the exact locations where bottlenecks and problems occurred within the facility.

The project demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be applied to healthcare support services where reliability and behind-the-scenes efficiency are primary concerns rather than direct clinical diagnosis, earning recognition for its potential to reshape industry operations.