Health-care organizations are facing unprecedented challenges with escalating operational costs and growing demands for patient services. New research from York University’s Schulich School of Business sheds light on how leaders in the sector can address these challenges by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) for better patient outcomes and improved operational efficiency.
The research findings are contained in the paper “Leadership for AI Transformation in Health Care Organization: Scoping Review,” published in the prestigious Journal of Medical Internet Research. The paper is co-authored by Abi Sriharan, scientific director and senior scientist of AI and health-care organizations at Schulich’s Krembil Centre for Health Management & Leadership.
The research, which conducted a comprehensive review of literature from 2015 to 2023, explores how health-care leaders can foster AI adoption across multiple facets of their organizations. According to the findings, effective leadership is the cornerstone of successful AI integration, requiring a multifaceted approach that spans technological, strategic, operational and organizational domains.
“Health-care leaders must go beyond simply adopting AI technologies – they must lead with a comprehensive strategy that encompasses both technical and human aspects,” says Sriharan. “Successful leaders in this field demonstrate a unique combination of technical expertise, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills to navigate a rapidly changing health-care landscape influenced by complex regulatory, technological and organizational challenges.”
To meet the demands of health driven applications of AI, the research calls for organizations to implement targeted leadership development programs that focus on equipping current and future leaders with the skills needed to manage the AI transformation effectively.
“AI transformation in health care is not solely a technological challenge but one of leadership,” says Sriharan, “and the key to unlocking AI’s potential in health care lies in developing leaders who are not only tech-savvy but also equipped with the interpersonal skills necessary to steer their teams toward success.”