• Written by Muhammed Abdulla NC, CEO

A healthcare administrator sits at her desk, staring at the electronic health record system, trying to make sense of the vast amount of data in front of her. She is about to ask a question that will change the way she works, but she is not alone - 20.7% of US health care and social assistance providers reported using AI in the previous two weeks, according to the US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey, AI supplement, late 2025 to early 2026.

Where AI has actually landed in healthcare so far

AI has largely landed in the functions whose output is text, not the ones that handle physical work. This means that administrative tasks, such as billing and insurance claims, have seen the most impact from AI. The use of AI in these areas has allowed for faster and more accurate processing of documents, freeing up staff to focus on more complex tasks. Across US businesses, 14.3% used AI in sales and marketing in the previous six months, against 1.7% in production of goods and 0.9% in distribution, according to the US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey.

This is because AI is well-suited to tasks that involve analyzing and generating text, such as processing medical records and generating reports. However, AI has not yet made a significant impact on clinical operations, such as surgeries and patient care, where human judgment and physical skill are still essential.

Scheduling and utilisation

When the people dealing with scheduling and utilization can ask the data in the electronic health record, PACS, revenue cycle, and ERP a direct question instead of waiting for a report, it can make a significant difference in their work. For example, a shift supervisor can ask the system how many patients are scheduled for surgery on a given day, and what the current utilization of the operating rooms is. This allows them to make informed decisions about staffing and resource allocation.

This is particularly useful in healthcare, where scheduling and utilization are critical to ensuring that patients receive the care they need in a timely manner. By providing real-time answers to questions, AI can help healthcare administrators make better decisions and improve patient outcomes. To learn more about how AI is being used in US businesses, read our analysis of the US Census Bureau's Business Trends and Outlook Survey.

Supply consumption variability

The decisions that currently wait on a person stitching together two systems, such as the electronic health record and the supply chain management system, can be automated with AI. For example, a supply chain manager can ask the system what the current inventory levels are for a particular medical supply, and what the projected usage is for the next week. This allows them to make informed decisions about ordering and stocking supplies.

This can help reduce waste and improve patient care by ensuring that the right supplies are available when they are needed. By providing real-time answers to questions, AI can help healthcare administrators make better decisions and improve patient outcomes. For more information on how AI is being used in healthcare, visit our operations page.

Documentation burden

Documentation burden is a significant challenge in healthcare, and AI is often touted as a solution. However, this is harder than it looks, and what has to be in place before AI helps rather than adds noise is a well-designed system that can accurately capture and analyze the relevant data. This requires a significant investment of time and resources to design and implement the system.

Additionally, the system must be able to integrate with existing electronic health records and other systems, and must be able to provide accurate and relevant information to healthcare administrators. If the system is not well-designed, it can add to the documentation burden rather than reducing it. To learn more about the challenges and opportunities of AI in healthcare, read our blog post on AI and IT investment in healthcare.

Why most adopters have not changed anything underneath

Of US businesses already using AI, 64.3% made no change of any kind to adopt it, and only 6.8% changed how they collect or manage data, according to the US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey. This means that most healthcare businesses are using AI as a layer on top of their existing systems, rather than making fundamental changes to their operations.

This can limit the benefits that they can achieve from AI, as they are not taking full advantage of its capabilities. To get the most out of AI, healthcare businesses need to be willing to make changes to their underlying systems and processes. For more information on how to get started with AI, contact us.

What a sensible first quarter looks like for a healthcare business

A sensible first quarter for a healthcare business looking to implement AI might involve focusing on a single question, such as "what is the current utilization of our operating rooms?" or "what is the projected demand for a particular medical supply?". This allows them to test the capabilities of the AI system and ensure that it is providing accurate and relevant information.

They might also focus on a single system, such as the electronic health record, and a single team, such as the scheduling team. This allows them to pilot the AI system in a controlled environment and ensure that it is meeting their needs before rolling it out more widely.

What this does not do

AI is not a replacement for human judgment and expertise in healthcare. It is a tool that can provide valuable insights and support, but it is not a substitute for the knowledge and experience of healthcare professionals. Additionally, AI is not a solution to all of the challenges facing healthcare businesses, and it should be seen as one part of a broader strategy to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

Furthermore, AI is not a magic bullet that can solve all of the problems of a healthcare business. It requires careful planning, implementation, and maintenance to ensure that it is providing accurate and relevant information, and that it is being used effectively by healthcare administrators. By understanding what AI can and cannot do, healthcare businesses can make informed decisions about how to use it to improve their operations and patient care.