With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care comes the question, “How will AI redefine the roles of health care leaders?” 

Ted James, MD, MHCM, FACS, associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and medical director and vice chair at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass. offers a clear perspective: AI is not here to replace humans but to empower them. 

“Those who adapt to and embrace AI will outpace those who do not,” Dr. James says. “It's all about managing change—both the opportunities and the challenges that come with AI.” 

For health care leaders, this means creating an environment where AI serves as a tool to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency. 

Why AI Matters for Health Care Leadership 

AI offers immense opportunities to transform how care is delivered, but its success depends on strong leadership. For instance, generative AI can streamline administrative tasks, enabling clinicians to focus more on direct patient care. According to a recent Forbes article, while generative AI has the potential to “fundamentally change the day-to-day working lives” of those in health care, “they will find they are more reliant than ever on human qualities like compassion.” 

Dr. James shares, “The American Medical Association (AMA) uses the term 'augmented intelligence' to emphasize the role AI will have in enhancing, not eclipsing, human capabilities. As industries evolve, there will be an increasing focus on acquiring skills and adapting to technological advances to ensure that people can transition to new roles where human capabilities are complemented by technology.” 

This highlights the need for health care leaders to guide their teams in viewing AI as a supportive tool rather than a disruptive force. 

Building a Culture of AI Integration 

To ensure the successful adoption of AI, health care leaders need to prioritize creating a culture of innovation. This includes encouraging experimentation with AI tools and offering hands-on learning opportunities for employees. As a recent article in SHRM emphasizes. “AI’s success in any organization will depend less on the technology itself and more on the culture that surrounds it.”

Dr. James highlights that the most successful organizations are those that invest in their workforce’s ability to adapt. This means providing mentoring, resources, and training to integrate AI effectively into daily roles. Strategic workforce planning and continuous learning are essential to prepare teams to fully harness AI’s potential.

Dr. James adds, “Leaders need to focus on strategic workforce planning, investing in training and development, and advocating for policies that support appropriate oversight.”

By equipping employees with the skills to leverage AI effectively, health care leaders not only enable operational improvements but also position their organizations for long-term success.

The High Stakes of Inaction 

The potential consequences of failing to adapt are stark. Dr. James warns that organizations that do not embrace AI risk becoming obsolete, much like past industry giants such as Blockbuster and Kodak. In health care, the stakes are even higher, as falling behind in AI adoption can directly impact patient care outcomes. 

In addition, effective leadership involves addressing the ethical and practical challenges of AI integration, particularly in health care where patient safety is paramount. According to a recent report in Science Direct, “The integration of AI in health care, while promising, brings about substantial challenges related to ethics, legality, and regulations. The need to consider patient safety, privacy, and compliance with existing health care standards makes it imperative to address these challenges.” Because of this, leaders should prioritize creating frameworks for responsible AI use, ensuring that these technologies are implemented accordingly. 

A Call to Action for Health Care Leaders 

For the health care industry, acquiring AI-related skills is no longer optional—it is essential, and the time to act is now. Organizations must rely on leaders who can foster an environment where AI is seamlessly integrated into workflows. Achieving this requires a clear strategy, a strong commitment to workforce development, and a proactive approach to addressing ethical considerations tied to AI implementation. 

Health care leaders play a crucial role in embedding AI learning and application into their organizational culture. Viewing AI as a tool for empowerment rather than a threat positions organizations to leverage it as a strategic asset for long-term growth. As Dr. James aptly puts it, “It's important to avoid resisting change merely due to discomfort with the unfamiliar, just as it is important not to implement changes without a clear purpose.”

The Harvard Medical School (HMS) Office for External Education provides broad access to HMS’s peerless and constantly evolving body of medical knowledge and expertise. Programs and content created by our 12,000-member faculty draw upon firsthand clinical insights based on their breakthrough research and best practices. This authoritative and trustworthy information is available to a breadth of learners, including current and aspiring health care professionals; leaders at all levels within companies that serve the health care industry; and individuals seeking to live healthier lives. Explore more insights about AI in a variety of available HMS learning opportunities including AI in Clinical Medicine for clinicians, the AI in Health Care: From Strategies to Implementation executive program, targeted medical applications in AI in Medicine HMX Short Courses, and a new postgraduate certificate program Leading AI Innovation in Health Care.