Bausch + Lomb CEO Calls AI Hysteria a Familiar Cycle

Bausch + Lomb CEO John H. Sullivan said the current "AI hysteria" is not new and follows previous technological hype cycles [1, 2].

This perspective challenges the prevailing industry narrative that artificial intelligence represents a completely unprecedented shift. By framing the current moment as a recurring pattern, Sullivan suggests that the value of the technology lies in its execution rather than its novelty.

In an interview published July 31, Sullivan said that business has faced similar waves of excitement before [1, 2]. He said that while every new wave of technology brings a period of intense hype, the critical component is often ignored — the necessity of integrating these tools responsibly into business operations and patient care ^[2].

"AI hysteria is nothing new; we've seen similar excitement with previous technologies and the real work is getting it into patients' hands," Sullivan said ^[1].

Sullivan said that the industry should prioritize practical implementation over the noise of the current trend. He said that the focus on hysteria often overlooks the people, and processes required to make the technology functional in a clinical setting ^[1].

"History shows every wave of tech brings hype, but the overlooked part is the need to integrate it responsibly," Sullivan said ^[2].

As a leader in the eye-care industry, Sullivan's approach indicates a preference for steady, measured adoption over rapid, hype-driven deployment. He said that the goal should be the tangible delivery of technology to the end user rather than the pursuit of the trend itself [1, 2].