The Philips Future Health Index 2026 report reveals that artificial intelligence is already saving clinicians the equivalent of over 16 working days per year, while also increasing their capacity to see more patients. However, the healthcare sector risks falling behind due to inadequate training and fragmented infrastructure, according to the 11th edition of the global report.
Key Findings from the Report
Based on perspectives from over 2,000 healthcare professionals and 20,000 patients across 10 countries, the report highlights several measurable benefits of AI in clinical practice. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of clinicians have increased their use of AI tools provided at work, with close to half (46%) reporting time savings of at least 132 hours annually on average—equivalent to more than three full working weeks. Additionally, 50% of clinicians say they have more capacity to see patients, averaging eight more patients per week.
Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation Officer at Philips, commented: "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."
Reduced Stress and Improved Safety
By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, AI also reduces emotional and cognitive load for clinicians. Half of respondents report less work-related stress (49%), and two-thirds (65%) report greater confidence in decision-making. Notably, 39% have already seen AI identify or prevent potential medical errors 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 at the American College of Cardiology.
Challenges in AI Adoption
Despite these benefits, many healthcare systems are playing catch-up with AI. While some organizations realize significant returns, others struggle to move beyond pilot programs. Integrating AI into care remains complex, particularly where fragmented healthcare IT environments and limited interoperability make it difficult to deploy AI consistently across teams and care settings. These barriers can slow implementation and limit the ability to scale AI effectively in practice.
