As generative AI transforms industries, it’s also reshaping the role of health system CIOs — shifting them from traditional infrastructure leads to forward-looking business partners and AI strategists.
Shafiq Rab, MD, chief digital and information officer at Tufts Medicine, told Becker’s the technology is not only evolving healthcare workflows, but also shifting mindsets.
“AI has been around for a long time,” Dr. Rab said. “But when ChatGPT came out, it brought the conversation to the forefront. For the first time, we’re engaging with technology that gives us insight into human consciousness — it can understand huge amounts of data and bring answers in a millisecond.”
Dr. Rab likened generative AI’s rise to a child’s development — from baby steps to Olympic performance. Though healthcare is far from that Olympic stage, he believes the potential is enormous.
“The role of the CIO has changed,” he said. “Now, it’s about being a business leader, forming strong partnerships with clinical and operational leaders, creating new governance structures, investing in training and education, and, critically, focusing on ROI.”
That return on investment equation now includes two additional components: risk and speed.
“We used to track KPIs. Now we also have to measure KRIs — key risk indicators — because the risks are enormous and instantaneous,” Dr. Rab said. “The CIO must partner more closely than ever with risk, compliance, and legal teams.”
This broader responsibility, he said, demands a reinvention of the CIO persona.
“CIOs need to become adaptable, lifelong learners,” he said. “Those who reinvent themselves will help contribute to the greater good of humanity.”
That evolution is also being felt at Stony Brook (N.Y.) Medicine, where CIO Gerald J. Kelly, DO, sees generative AI as both a catalyst for innovation and a call to reinforce the fundamentals.
“Generative AI is reshaping the chief information officer role by driving innovation and advancements in healthcare. It offers automation, reduces provider burden, and improves healthcare outcomes,” Dr. Kelly told Becker’s. “Despite these advancements, the focus remains on evaluating and procuring applications, as AI will continue to be integrated into IT systems over the coming years.”
To be most effective, Dr. Kelly said, CIOs must prioritize data hygiene and security.
“It is crucial to understand what engines and agents have access to the data, as generative AI will identify and highlight it,” he said. “Additionally, there is an emphasis that end users are well-trained and only utilize technology that has been approved for use.”
At Tufts Medicine, that focus now includes equipping clinicians and staff with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled healthcare environment — starting with education.
“Our clinicians want to learn,” Dr. Rab said. “They’re asking for AI training. That’s new.”
Tufts Medicine is rolling out generative AI tools like ambient documentation — software that listens to clinical conversations and generates notes in real time. But the organization quickly realized that success depends on more than just installing software.
“You need to ensure the phone works, the Wi-Fi is strong, clinicians are asking the right questions, and everyone becomes fluent with the tools,” Dr. Rab said. “And we can’t forget the nurses, the front desk staff — everyone has to be included.”
