Photo by Abdulai Sayni on Unsplash
AI is already finding its way into healthcare, and I don’t think we can afford to ignore it. Whether we use these tools ourselves or not, they may change how healthcare professionals work and how organizations deliver care. I’ve been trying to learn more about what that could mean. I don’t see a reason to rush toward every new tool, but I also don’t think waiting until everything changes around us is a good plan. Understanding AI seems like a practical place to start.
A 2025 OECD study looked at nearly 55.5 million job postings in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2023. It found that many healthcare roles could benefit from technologies that support workers, although some tasks may be automated. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 also estimates that 39% of workers’ existing skills will change or become outdated by 2030 across industries. That doesn’t mean 39% of healthcare jobs will disappear. To me, it means the skills we rely on today may not be enough on their own tomorrow.
So, what does getting ready look like? I don’t think every doctor, nurse, or hospital employee needs to become an AI expert. But learning what these tools can and cannot do, how to ask useful questions, and how to check the information they produce could become part of everyday work. AI can make mistakes, and healthcare decisions carry real consequences. Skills like critical thinking, communication, and sound judgment will still matter. Knowing when not to trust a tool may be just as important as knowing how to use it.
Preparation also shouldn’t fall only on employees. Healthcare professionals can explore new tools and build their skills, but organizations have responsibilities too. They need to explain why a tool is being introduced, provide training, and involve the people who will use it. I think the starting question should be “What problem are we trying to solve?”. If AI adds another step without improving the work, it may not add much value. Testing it carefully and listening to staff can help organizations find out.
For me, this is where the AI conversation in healthcare should begin, not with a promise that it will fix everything, or a fear that it will replace everyone, but with learning. As I read more, I want to explore two areas separately. How AI may support clinical work and how it may help with the business and administrative side of healthcare. Both deserve a closer look, including their limits.
What AI skill do you think healthcare professionals should start learning now? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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