Karla Ortiz

Peruvian tech innovator creating AI solutions to improve healthcare access in underserved communities

Dr. Karla Ortiz is a Peruvian computer scientist and founder of Medikai, an AI healthtech startup launched in 2020 that provides diagnostic support to rural clinics lacking specialist doctors. Her team's algorithms analyze medical images with 98% accuracy for conditions like diabetic retinopathy and skin cancer, currently serving over 1.2 million patients in 15 Latin American countries.

In 2022, Ortiz pioneered the Telemedikai platform integrating AI chatbots with telemedicine, reducing diagnostic delays by 70% in pilot regions. Her work was recognized by the World Health Organization's 2023 Digital Health Awards. A MIT Technology Review 'Innovator Under 35' (2021), she also co-founded Latindata, a nonprofit addressing AI bias through diverse data collection. Ortiz's open-source projects include the AI4Health toolkit, used by researchers in 43 countries. Her TED Talk How AI Can Bring Healthcare to the Most Remote Places (2024) has become a cornerstone of global health tech discussions.