Q&A: Jon Friis on How Generative AI Could Transform Dermatology Workflows

In a rapidly evolving digital health landscape, online platform Miiskin is taking a bold step forward with its latest initiative to integrate generative AI into dermatology workflows. Backed by a $200,000 grant from the Danish Innovation Fund, the company aims to reduce administrative burdens for clinicians by automating tasks like patient intake, communication, and documentation—without disrupting established clinical processes. Dermatology Times spoke with Jon Friis, founder and CEO of Miiskin, about how this funding will accelerate innovation, improve patient access, and reshape the future of digital dermatology.

DT: What separates Miiskin’s strategy from the other grant applicants? How will the grant money be utilized?

Friis: The grant will fund the future integration of generative AI into Miiskin’s platform to tackle repetitive, non-clinical workflow tasks. Specifically, we’re focused on automating patient intake, organizing patient-submitted information, and streamlining communication between patients and providers. Beyond efficiency, we’re building AI workflows that adapt to dermatologists’ existing processes rather than forcing them to change how they practice. What sets Miiskin apart is our focus on dermatology and the independence we offer providers. Unlike broader telehealth platforms, we understand the unique needs of dermatologists and their patients. Our strategy is about embedding AI into every step of the digital dermatology experience so that providers can spend less time on administrative work and more time on patient care.

DT: How will generative AI be able to improve the timing of clinical tasks including patient assessment, compliance tasks, and overall communication?

Friis: Generative AI will handle time-consuming but repetitive tasks, such as organizing images and patient histories, summarizing intake data, and drafting routine communication. This reduces the amount of time dermatologists spend preparing for or following up on each case. AI also has the potential to simplify and enhance the entire medication prescribing workflow - reducing administrative burden, improving prescription speed, and enabling clinicians to focus more on patient care. Today, patients using Miiskin have already cut the wait for an initial dermatology assessment from more than 30 days to just 24 to 48 hours. With AI taking over more of the administrative load, dermatologists can scale their practice more effectively, handle higher patient volumes, and ultimately make specialist care more accessible to all communities.

Dermatologists often work under intense time pressure, which can make their written communication with patients brief and utilitarian. AI can help by drafting patient-friendly templates and detailed, personalized instructions that dermatologists can quickly review and fine-tune. This keeps communications human and empathetic, while also clear and efficient. Patients respond positively to friendly, personalized messages from their dermatologist - and as more patient interactions move to digital channels, this type of high-quality, humanized communication will become even more important. AI gives dermatologists the tools they’ve long needed to deliver that level of patient experience without adding to their workload.

It’s clear that AI has the potential to take on much of the time-consuming compliance burden dermatologists face today. For instance, AI can automatically flag missing or incomplete details in documentation or treatment plans, catch inconsistencies, and verify that prescribed medications align with recorded diagnoses using large, anonymized data sets. Rather than replacing medical judgment, AI serves as a real-time compliance assistant - reducing errors, saving time, and giving dermatologists greater confidence that their records meet regulatory standards. Regulatory compliance feels like a natural area where AI can provide significant value moving forward.

DT: What measures does the company take regarding patient security and data privacy, especially with this new implementation of generative AI?

Friis: Patient security and data privacy are non-negotiable. Miiskin is fully HIPAA-compliant, and our AI initiatives are designed within the same data privacy framework that governs all of our platform’s operations. Patient data is encrypted during transmission, stored securely, and never disclosed to third parties without authorization. Transparency and ethics are central to the Danish Innovation Fund’s evaluation criteria, and our approach reflects those same priorities: AI should make care safer and more efficient without compromising privacy, security, and trust.

DT: What are some of the biggest challenges associated with implementing AI solutions in dermatology and how does Miiskin approach these?

Friis: One of the biggest challenges with AI in healthcare is making sure that AI never compromises or blurs medical liability and decision-making. Another is making sure dermatologists feel fully in control of the process. Our approach has been to start with practical, non-clinical tasks where AI can deliver immediate value - such as reducing paperwork and organizing patient-submitted information. By easing administrative burdens, we help dermatologists focus on patient care while reinforcing their role as the ultimate decision-makers. Over time, that trust creates the foundation for broader applications of AI in dermatology.

DT: What feedback are you receiving from dermatologists about this generative AI? What message do you have for clinicians who may be skeptical?

Friis: Dermatologists consistently tell us they want more time for patients and less time on administrative tasks. The feedback has been very positive because the AI will address exactly that pain point - it’s not replacing clinical expertise, it’s augmenting it. For clinicians who are skeptical, our message is simple: The goal isn’t to replace your role but to reduce friction so you can focus on diagnosis, treatment, and patient connection.

DT: How do you see AI, telehealth, and Miiskin advancing in dermatology over the next 5 to 10 years?

Friis: We believe every dermatology consultation will begin digitally. Patients will submit high-quality images and structured information before their visit, and AI will organize and summarize that data for clinicians. This will make the entire process faster, more efficient, and more patient-friendly. Over the next decade, AI and telehealth will expand access to dermatology at scale, reduce wait times globally, and help prevent clinician burnout. Miiskin’s vision is to bring expert dermatological care to 100 million people by 2040, and AI will be a key driver in achieving that.