2026 TIME100 AI: She lost her nephew to sepsis; now Suchi Saria’s AI is helping doctors detect the deadly condition earlier

Johns Hopkins professor and Bayesian Health founder Suchi Saria has been named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI for 2026 for developing AI technology aimed at detecting sepsis earlier. After losing her nephew to sepsis in 2017, Saria channelled her research into healthcare applications. Her AI system analyses patient data to identify warning signs before deterioration becomes obvious. The technology received US FDA clearance in 2026 and is designed to support clinicians, not replace them.