Will Generative Artificial Intelligence Deliver on Its Promise in Health Care?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Technology Adoption

Background:

• Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) has generated significant interest and concern since late 2022.
• General-purpose technologies historically face a "productivity paradox," with delayed benefits.
• Healthcare's unique attributes have previously hindered AI and electronic health record implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of genAI in healthcare.
• To address the challenges and opportunities for genAI deployment in the healthcare sector.
• To evaluate the unique properties of genAI that may impact its adoption curve.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of historical technology adoption trends.
• Assessment of healthcare industry characteristics influencing technology implementation.
• Evaluation of genAI's unique properties and the healthcare ecosystem's readiness.

Main Results:

• genAI possesses unique characteristics that may shorten the typical lag between implementation and productivity gains in healthcare.
• The healthcare ecosystem is evolving, showing increased receptiveness to genAI.
• Healthcare organizations are better positioned to implement necessary complementary innovations for digital tools.

Conclusions:

• genAI has the potential to deliver meaningful improvements in healthcare more rapidly than previous technologies.
• The advanced capabilities of genAI and organizational readiness suggest a faster path to realizing benefits.
• Healthcare is poised to benefit from genAI due to its unique properties and an evolving ecosystem.