Reclaiming the Human Connection in Clinical Care With AI

The patient-provider relationship is becoming increasingly fractured, with many clinicians overwhelmed by administrative tasks and patients often feeling unheard. Often missing from clinical care is what this author has termed "human connection" which refers to the relational quality of encounters characterized by active listening, eye contact, empathic responsiveness, shared decision-making, and the patient's sense of being seen and understood by their provider. While the electronic health record is often viewed as a cause of this disconnect, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a meaningful opportunity to help restore that bond. By automating clerical tasks such as documentation, inbox management, and care navigation, AI can help providers reclaim the time and cognitive space necessary for empathetic, human-centered care. This article draws on both the published evidence and the author's own experience to examine the impact ambient and agentic AI can have on the clinical experience for both patients and providers while also acknowledging the risks of AI and the necessary safeguards for using AI in a clinical environment. When deployed with care and oversight, AI can allow clinicians to reclaim the human connection that is at the core of the care experience.