EHRs first emerged in the 1960s, and by 1965, there were 73 hospital and clinical information projects alongside 28 initiatives focused on storing and retrieving medical documents, according to HIMSS. Initially developed for academic medical centers, most early systems have since been replaced by major commercial platforms such as Oracle Health, Meditech, and Epic Systems, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Despite widespread adoption, EHRs remain a source of frustration for clinicians due to technical inefficiencies and administrative burdens. In 2025, vendors are aiming to change that by making EHRs more intuitive and less time-consuming, allowing providers to spend more time with patients.
Oracle Health is leading the charge with plans for a major overhaul of the modern EHR. In October, the company announced a new AI-powered EHR platform designed independently of Cerner’s original system. Oracle says the platform will eliminate traditional menus and drop-down screens, instead allowing clinicians to access information through simple voice commands.
“The EHR has not lived up to its promise,” Seema Verma, Oracle Health and Life Sciences’ executive vice president and general manager, said in a company news release.
Oracle aims to reinvent the EHR with its next-generation system, which will begin early adoption in 2025.
Meanwhile, other major EHR vendors are also advancing AI capabilities. At its annual Meditech Live conference, Meditech announced plans to enhance its Expanse EHR with conversational and generative AI to reduce documentation workloads and give clinicians more time for patient care.
Epic is also investing in AI, partnering with Microsoft and health systems to develop an ambient AI tool for streamlining nursing documentation. Additionally, Epic is expanding AI-powered features in its patient portal, MyChart, where AI-driven agents will provide personalized guidance, including healthcare reminders and condition management tools integrated with medical devices.
As EHR vendors race to modernize their platforms, AI is emerging as a key driver in reshaping the technology to better serve both clinicians and patients.