Health systems are grappling with tech disruption and a multitude of complex, interconnected challenges. And — with the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence — the most transformative force in the industry may have only just arrived.
In a webinar hosted by Becker’s Hospital Review and sponsored by Amitech Solutions, Jacob Rouse, Vice President of Intelligent Automation at Amitech, made the case for how this new wave of AI can help payers and providers solve deep operational inefficiencies.
Here are three key takeaways from the session:
Note: Quotes have been edited for length and clarity.
- Agentic AI is proactive, not reactive
Unlike traditional AI, which analyzes past data to suggest decisions, agentic AI is goal-driven. It learns, adapts and acts autonomously to meet defined objectives.
“This makes the technology proactive, something that we have not fully seen in AI before — the ability to anticipate needs and initiate action,” Mr. Rouse said.
That capability shifts the role of AI from assistant to true collaborator. Agentic systems don’t just recommend; they execute. This marks a turning point for hospital operations, where complexity often overwhelms staff and slows decision-making.
- The barriers to adoption are real and solvable
Mr. Rouse argued that while most healthcare leaders agree AI is necessary, many don’t know where to begin. Barriers include risk aversion, governance complexity and the fragmentation of tech stacks.
However, he emphasized that these barriers can be overcome with intentionality and collaboration.
“This isn’t flip the switch and turn your back,” Mr. Rouse said. “This is collaborating with people, collaborating with systems, constantly updating and making improvements.”
Building an AI-ready culture also matters. Hospitals must train staff to understand workflows, map out decision points and collaborate with technology.
- The future is now — and health systems that wait may fall behind
Citing research projections, Mr. Rouse said that by 2028, 15 percent of all healthcare decisions will be made with AI. That may seem modest — but it represents a massive increase over today’s rates.
He likened the moment to the early days of the internet: transformative, misunderstood and inevitable.
“This is as transformative as the internet was and is,” Mr. Rouse said, adding that the organizations adopting agentic AI are going to “solve the problems that we know exist in healthcare now.”
Check out this new resource from Amitech, Navigating the AI Integration Maze, for practical strategies for implementing Agentic AI, including starting with pilot projects, establishing strong governance, and strengthening data infrastructure.
