Medical AI in 2026: budding benefits, marred by knowledge gaps

AI is already saving clinicians the equivalent of over 16 working days a year and helping them see more patients, but healthcare systems risk falling behind because of inadequate training and fragmented infrastructure. That’s according to findings from Philips’ Future Health Index 2026, the 11th edition of the global report, based on perspectives from over 2,000 healthcare professionals and 20,000 patients across 10 countries. 

The report is available for download on the Philips website.

The Future Health Index 2026 findings demonstrate how AI is already actively reshaping care delivery into a more hybrid, extended care team model: 

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of clinicians have increased their use of AI tools provided at work, with measurable benefits. 
• Clinicians say AI saves them time every week. Close to half (46%) reported time savings of at least 132 hours annually on average, or the equivalent of more than three full working weeks. 
• 50% report they have more capacity to see patients, on average eight more patients per week. 

This freed time is reinvested into higher-value clinical work and patient relationships – fundamentally changing how care is being delivered. 

Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation Officer at Philips: “What is really encouraging is that AI is already making a tangible difference in everyday clinical practice, for clinicians and patients alike. We are seeing people save meaningful time, care for more patients, and feel better at work. At its heart, AI is there to support healthcare professionals, giving them more room to focus on what matters most: clinical decision-making and patient care. At the same time, we see many health systems are still early in their AI journey, and there's real work ahead on infrastructure and training.” 

By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, AI also reduces emotional and cognitive load for clinicians. Half report less work-related stress (49%) and two-thirds (65%) report greater confidence in decision-making. Notably, 39% have already seen AI identify or prevent potential medical errors at least three times in the past three months. 

“Clinicians are beginning to experience AI not as an abstract technology, but as something that meaningfully changes clinical safety,” said Ami Bhatt, MD, Chief Innovation Officer, American College of Cardiology. 

While many healthcare professionals report improved workflow efficiency, AI adoption has exposed gaps in organizational readiness. Some healthcare systems are already realizing significant returns, while others struggle to move beyond pilot programs. Integrating AI into care remains complex, particularly where fragmented healthcare IT environments and limited interoperability make it difficult to deploy AI consistently across teams and care settings. These barriers can slow implementation and limit the ability to scale AI effectively in practice. 

A majority (59%) of clinicians say their organization’s leadership are taking the right steps to implement AI. Yet uneven progress and lack of training expose the untapped opportunity – 7 in 10 (70%) clinicians report inadequate, inconsistent, or unavailable training. The top training needs include checking the accuracy of AI recommendations developing technical navigation skills and understanding legal liability. 

The report findings point to a healthcare sector in transition: AI is already reshaping care, yet adoption varies widely across organizations and care settings. Its impact is transforming care but the next phase depends on effective implementation, integration and support across healthcare systems. Expanding access to the right tools and training, alongside strong clinical leadership, clear governance and organizational support, will be critical to helping clinicians adopt AI confidently and consistently in practice. Ultimately enabling more time for patient care and higher-value clinical work. 

Clinicians are now working at their best, with 82% seeing or expecting their roles to move to higher-value activities, and 71% say AI will help them to work at the top of their capabilities. Patients are also considered active partners in their care. Three-quarters (74%) of clinicians report patients arriving at consultations AI-informed and 63% of them regard informed patients as integral future partners in their extended, hybrid team. Over half of patients (56%) predict that AI will help them take a more active role in their care in the future. 

“Time savings translate into more than operational efficiencies,” said Carla Goulart Peron, Chief Medical Officer at Philips. “Half of the clinicians we surveyed report experiencing less stress and a better work-life balance. Patients experience these benefits directly through higher-quality interactions, the attention they receive during appointments and the time clinicians have to listen. As a clinician, I know that trust is built through human connection, and creating more time for those moments benefits everyone.” 

Source: Philips 

09.06.2026

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