Software and AI medical devices (AI/SaMD) are solving clinical problems at speed. Healthcare systems, though, won't adopt a technology that works brilliantly if they can't make an economic case for it. At the Hardian Summit 2026, we hosted a workshop on Health Economics and Outcomes Research for professionals new to the field. The attendees came in believing overwhelmingly that investors in AI/SaMDs need economic evidence or conceptualisation of impact beyond the device working. Ninety-six percent said yes. More than three-quarters called it a necessity. HEOR is how that case gets built.