60% of Healthcare Firms Use Chatbots Before Further Automation

60% of Healthcare Firms Use Chatbots Before Further Automation

60% of Healthcare Firms Use Chatbots Before Further Automation

https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/chatbot-tracker/2026/60-percent-of-healthcare-firms-turn-to-ai-chatbots-before-further-automation/

Publish Date: 2026-06-16 04:02:00

Source Domain: www.pymnts.com

  • Healthcare AI is used as a pressure valve to manage current strains: Instead of sweeping automation, healthcare’s primary use of AI focuses on easing pressures from staff strain, high patient demand, and complex operations.

  • AI adoption in healthcare is more targeted than in financial services: While financial services have adopted AI for more extensive tasks, healthcare is focusing narrowly on specific areas where AI can provide immediate relief.

  • Key AI adoption areas in healthcare:

    • Customer service: 60% of healthcare firms employ AI for chatbots and virtual agents to handle routine interactions.
    • Workforce planning: 55% use AI for workforce planning and to identify skills gaps.
    • Logistics routing: 53% utilize AI to optimize logistics and delivery of supplies.
  • Healthcare AI still needs stronger foundational integrations: Despite current practical uses, limited adoption in full patient journey orchestration, regulatory compliance monitoring, and data inputs suggests room for broader integration improvements.

  • Increased budgets indicate growing healthcare AI investment: 60% of healthcare firms plan to increase AI spending in the next 12 months, driven by piloting efforts and the quest for productivity gains.

  • AI’s potential in healthcare lies in aiding efficiency, not replacing judgment: AI is used to help staff work more efficiently and manage complex systems better, with the aim of scaling from limited to comprehensive use as data and workflows improve.