The Growing Influence of AI in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence is transforming the healthcare landscape, influencing everything from how clinicians take notes during consultations to how they prepare for patient appointments. A recent report titled Future Health Index 2026, conducted by Philips, a leading health technology company, aimed to assess the tangible impacts of AI on the daily tasks of doctors and nurses.
The findings reveal that the use of AI-enabled tools among healthcare professionals has seen a significant increase over the past year. More than eight out of ten healthcare workers expressed optimism that AI can enhance patient outcomes, marking a four-percentage-point rise compared to 2025. Additionally, seven out of ten professionals believe that the benefits of AI already outweigh the risks.
Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation Officer at Philips, shared insights with Euronews Health, stating, “This is the first year where the signals from clinicians indicate that AI is having a measurable impact, or at least they sense it.”
Time-Saving Benefits and Improved Work-Life Balance
One of the most notable outcomes of AI integration in healthcare settings is time-saving, which is particularly valuable in systems facing workforce shortages. According to Partovi, this saved time contributes to better work-life balance, reduced stress, less overtime, and more time spent with patients. It also promotes greater equity and access within the healthcare system.
The report gathered responses from over 2,000 clinicians and more than 20,000 patients across 10 countries, including Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Close to half of the clinicians (46%) reported that AI helps them save at least 132 hours annually—equivalent to more than three full working weeks. Nurses, in particular, were found to benefit the most from AI, as they often handle administrative or non-clinical tasks.
“Nurses led the way, and they said, will you give that time back to me? I put it into collaboration with other clinicians, spending more time with patients, reflecting on the case itself, and reviewing the patient’s medical information,” Partovi explained.
Enhanced Efficiency and Confidence
Around 71% of medical professionals noted improved workflow efficiency, while 50% said AI has increased their capacity to see more patients. The benefits extend beyond professional tasks, with around 50% reporting improved work-life balance and reduced stress levels due to AI.
Common Uses of AI in Healthcare
Clinicians are using AI for various purposes, including administrative tasks such as transcribing clinical notes or scheduling patient appointments. They also use AI as a “buddy” to discuss work-related ideas, speed up X-rays, or flag dangerous drug combinations.
The report found that 39% of respondents have witnessed AI identify or prevent potential medical errors at least three times in the past three months. Moreover, more than 65% of clinicians said that using AI has increased their confidence in decision-making.
Challenges in Adopting AI
Despite the positive developments, the report highlights that clinician demand for AI is moving quickly, sometimes faster than organizations can respond. “There is such a high desire by clinicians to use tools that they’re actually using their own personal tools because they said that their organizations aren’t moving fast enough,” Partovi said.
Nearly two-thirds of healthcare professionals turn to personal AI tools when workplace options don’t meet their needs. However, many clinicians say they need more support to use these tools effectively. Seven out of 10 reported that training for AI-enabled tools is unavailable, limited, or inconsistent at their organization.
“This is the first time I recall that the adoption of the tool is so fast that the organization can't keep up,” added Partovi. He emphasized that the rapid pace of change presents challenges beyond just technical implementation, including issues related to privacy, safety, security, governance, and role-specific training.
The Future of AI in Healthcare
Nearly all healthcare professionals expect their roles to evolve due to AI. Around 96% anticipate changes in how they work, and 53% foresee a significant shift in their role. However, some concerns remain: around 44% worry about losing clinical skills through over-reliance on AI, while 37% feel their role is changing faster than they are comfortable with.
While embracing new tools and finding ways to integrate them into daily tasks, clinicians emphasize the importance of maintaining a human presence in the process. Approximately 86% said all AI outputs require human oversight, and more than 80% stated that AI will never replace the relationships clinicians build with patients.
At the same time, seven out of 10 healthcare professionals believe that with the increased use of these tools, human interaction skills will become more important than ever.
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