SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- June 9, 2026 -- Philips has released its Future Health Index 2026, the 11th edition of its annual global study, drawing on responses from more than 2,000 healthcare professionals and over 20,000 patients across 10 countries. The findings show that artificial intelligence already saves clinicians the equivalent of more than 16 working days each year and is helping many of them treat additional patients. At the same time, the report warns that inadequate training and fragmented IT infrastructure could leave some health systems behind. For hospital leaders and care providers, the results frame AI less as a future prospect and more as an operational tool already reshaping daily workloads.
AI Frees Clinical Time and Expands Patient Capacity
Nearly two-thirds of clinicians (65%) have increased their use of AI tools at work, and the time savings are concrete. About 46% reported saving at least 132 hours a year, which Philips equates to more than three full working weeks. Half of clinicians said they now have capacity to see more patients, on average eight more each week. That recovered time is going back into clinical decisions and patient relationships rather than routine administration.
"What is really encouraging is that AI is already making a tangible difference in everyday clinical practice, for clinicians and patients alike. We are seeing people save meaningful time, care for more patients, and feel better at work. At its heart, AI is there to support healthcare professionals, giving them more room to focus on what matters most: clinical decision-making and patient care. At the same time, we see many health systems are still early in their AI journey, and there's real work ahead on infrastructure and training." — Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation Officer at Philips
Clinicians Report Lower Stress and Fewer Errors
AI is also changing how clinicians feel about their work. Roughly half (49%) reported less work-related stress, and 65% said they feel more confident in their decisions. The safety effect is direct. A reported 39% have seen AI identify or help prevent a potential medical error at least three times in the past three months.
"Clinicians are beginning to experience AI not as an abstract technology, but as something that meaningfully changes clinical safety," said Ami Bhatt, MD, Chief Innovation Officer, American College of Cardiology.
Fragmented IT Slows AI Adoption Across Health Systems
The picture is uneven across organizations. Some health systems are already seeing strong returns, while others remain stuck in pilot programs. Philips points to fragmented healthcare IT and limited interoperability as the main reasons AI is hard to deploy consistently across teams and care settings. These conditions slow rollouts and cap the scale AI can reach in everyday practice.
Training Gaps Remain the Largest Barrier
Most clinicians (59%) credit their leadership with taking the right steps on AI. Training tells a different story. Seven in ten (70%) describe the training available to them as inadequate, inconsistent, or simply absent. The skills they most want cover checking the accuracy of AI recommendations, navigating the tools, and understanding legal liability.
Patients Arrive at Appointments Already Informed by AI
Patients are entering the exam room better prepared. Three-quarters of clinicians (74%) say patients now arrive already informed by AI, and 63% see those informed patients as genuine partners in a hybrid care team. More than half of patients (56%) expect AI to help them take a more active role in their own care. Among clinicians, 82% see their roles shifting toward higher-value activities, and 71% believe AI will let them practice at the top of their training.
What the 2026 Findings Mean for Health System Leaders
The report describes a sector in transition. AI is already reshaping care, but the gains are spreading unevenly. Philips argues that the next phase depends on better implementation, integration, and support, with the right tools, proper training, clear governance, and clinical leadership working together. For buyers and operators, the message is practical: the technology is delivering, and the bottleneck now sits with infrastructure and people.
Healthcare leaders can review the full survey methodology and results through the Philips Future Health Index 2026 program page at Philips.