A new global report by Philips, the Future Health Index 2025, reveals that while artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for healthcare, a significant trust gap persists between patients and professionals. The study, based on surveys of over 1,900 healthcare professionals and 16,000 patients across 16 countries, highlights AI’s ability to address critical challenges like staff shortages and care delays but underscores the need for greater transparency and collaboration to build confidence.
Key Findings:
- AI’s Benefits: Healthcare professionals overwhelmingly see AI as a tool to improve efficiency (84%), reduce administrative burdens (77%), and enhance diagnostics. In cardiology, where delays are critical, AI could cut wait times and prevent hospitalizations.
- Patient Skepticism: Only 59% of patients trust AI in healthcare, compared to 79% of professionals. Comfort drops sharply for clinical tasks like diagnosis (67%) versus administrative uses (87%).
- Human Touch Concerns: 52% of patients fear technology will reduce face-to-face time with doctors, emphasizing the need for AI to augment—not replace—human care.
- Accountability Challenges: 76% of professionals worry about liability for AI errors, while 61% cite concerns over data bias exacerbating health disparities.
Recommendations:
The report calls for patient-centered AI design, clearer regulatory guardrails, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure safety, fairness, and efficacy. “Trust and innovation must go hand in hand,” said Philips’ Chief Innovation Officer Shez Partovi.
As healthcare systems grapple with rising demands, bridging the AI trust gap will be pivotal to unlocking its full potential—improving outcomes while preserving the human connection at the heart of care.
Read the full report: Philips Future Health Index 2025
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