Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Future of Healthcare: How AI Can Save Lives – If Patients Trust It

The new Future Health Index 2025 by Philips, based on surveys of over 1,900 healthcare professionals and more than 16,000 patients worldwide, highlights a central challenge: the gap between rapid AI development and people’s trust in its use.

Waiting times for specialist appointments exceed 70 days in many countries – with serious consequences for patient health. While more than 75% of surveyed clinicians see great promise in AI for improving diagnostics, optimizing workflows, and reducing hospital readmissions, many patients remain skeptical, especially when it comes to using AI in clinical decision-making.

One key insight: Patients trust their doctors – but not the technology. 86% of patients prefer to be informed about AI in their care by a healthcare professional. Trust can only be built if AI solutions are transparent, secure, and developed in close collaboration with clinicians.

Philips calls for a people-first approach to AI – one that ensures fairness, clarifies legal responsibilities, and fosters strong cross-sector collaboration. The message is clear: “Innovation without trust cannot succeed.”