Hims & Hers CTO Search: Why They Turned to Autonomous Vehicles

Hims & Hers Appoints New CTO from Autonomous Vehicle Sector

The telehealth and wellness company, Hims & Hers, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Technology Officer with a background in the autonomous vehicle industry. This strategic decision, as stated by Hims & Hers co-founder and CEO Andrew Dudum, was deliberately made to bolster the company’s technological advancements.

Former Cruise Executive Joins Hims & Hers

Hims & Hers revealed on Thursday that Mo Elshenawy, previously the President and CTO of self-driving car company Cruise, will be assuming the role of CTO. Elshenawy departed from Cruise earlier this year following the cessation of its autonomous vehicle program by parent company GM.

While a transition from autonomous vehicles to healthcare might appear unconventional, Dudum explained to TechCrunch that he specifically sought leadership from the autonomous driving field.

“My search focused on leaders within the autonomous driving space, specifically because of their experience in utilizing technology, data, and AI within highly sensitive environments where human lives are potentially at risk,” Dudum clarified in a recent interview.

Synergies Between Autonomous Vehicles and Healthcare AI

Elshenawy, possessing over 10 patents in AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, conveyed to TechCrunch that the career shift “isn’t as substantial as it initially appears.”

“Self-driving cars rely on AI to make instantaneous decisions in intricate, high-stakes, and heavily regulated scenarios, where building trust is paramount,” he explained in an email. “Healthcare functions under identical conditions. It involves people’s well-being, constrained resources, and systems operating under pressure. The application of AI to ensure safe, dependable decision-making at scale is directly relevant to our work at Hims & Hers.”

Hims & Hers: Growth and Expansion

Hims & Hers, a San Francisco-based telehealth provider, became a publicly traded company in 2021 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. Established in 2017, the company initially concentrated on men’s health, offering treatments for erectile dysfunction and hair loss.

The following year, the company broadened its scope to include women’s health, reflected in the addition of “Hers” to its branding. This direct-to-consumer company, which facilitates connections between patients and licensed healthcare professionals, has recently incorporated mental health and weight loss solutions into its service offerings.

Strategic Hiring to Drive Innovation

The company’s forward-looking ambitions are evident in its recent recruitment efforts. Earlier this week, it was announced that former Amazon executive Nader Kabbani will be joining as the next Chief of Operations.

Dudum views AI as the key technology to propel the company’s evolution and expand its reach to serve a larger patient base. Hims & Hers currently provides care to between 10,000 and 15,000 patients daily.

Leveraging Patient Data for AI-Driven Healthcare

The anonymized data from millions of patients – encompassing clinical visits, prescribed medications, and treatment efficacy – has been compiled into a substantial dataset. This data is now being utilized to develop AI models designed to assist in both diagnosing and treating patients.

Two years ago, the company leveraged its dataset to create MedMatch, a tool designed to aid doctors in recommending mental health treatments. Dudum emphasized that all of its AI-powered tools maintain human oversight, specifically from doctors or other healthcare professionals.

Human Oversight and AI Transparency

“A rigorous and structured approach is essential for clinical decision support tools in the medical field, ensuring that providers remain ultimately responsible for all clinical judgments and decisions, as mandated by regulations,” Dudum stated. He further noted that the company’s AI products are intended to provide insights and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare providers.

Dudum also highlighted that the company’s AI systems demonstrate the reasoning behind their recommendations to doctors and healthcare professionals. “Presenting the methodology and providing context regarding the factors influencing the outputs are, in many ways, as valuable as the recommendations themselves,” he added.