Navigating AI Readiness in Healthcare: Insights from Al Smith and Patrice Bordron

On Thursday, November 6, TN HIMSS brought healthcare technology leaders together for a candid and thought-provoking conversation on AI readiness. Led by Al Smith (CIO at Lifepoint Health) and Patrice Bordron (CISO at Community Health Systems) the conversation centered around the evolving role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, exploring readiness, governance, and the cultural shifts required to harness its full potential.

AI is a tool, not a strategy

The evening started with a strong emphasis on AI is not a strategy—it’s a tool. Healthcare organizations must lead with use cases and the end goal in mind, not the technology. While boards and stakeholders are increasingly asking about AI adoption, there’s a parallel need for education at all levels.

AI is rapidly evolving and what we today is its least capable form. Meaning AI is quickly learning and growing and those who don’t embrace AI are going to be displaced.

Governance, guardrails and data integrity

AI in healthcare must be strictly governed. When an algorithm is 98% correct, that’s not good enough. Because that means 2% of the time could result in errors which bring lawsuits and dangerous situations for the organization. Additionally, we need to know how to measure AI performance. AI adopters need to have a way to audit the algorithms and performance drifts.

We, as an industry, need to think about the data that goes into the system that the AI is learning from. Garbage in, garbage out. Clean, reliable data is foundational to successful AI deployment. To take it a step further, that data is also protected. How is AI using that data? Where else can it go? These questions, among others, need to be addressed everywhere, including vendor contracts.

Upskilling and culture shifts

It’s easier to teach a doctor tech than it is to teach a tech person how to be a doctor. Upskilling domain experts to leverage AI is key to unlocking its value. To effectively adopt AI, there needs to be an emphasis on bringing people along in the journey, aligning data with a clear source of truth and identifying processes ripe for AI enhancement. The people using AI need to understand how to do so responsibly and that their actions, whether intentional or not, can negatively impact the organization.

Looking ahead

The AI vision is clear: AI must be guided by a north star, supported by strong governance and driven by empowered people. Healthcare is complex and AI has the potential to help move us forward and reduce healthcare spend…eventually.

Healthcare organizations are optimistic about the potential of AI. The energy is there. It needs to be intentionally harnessed and guided by a north star to ensure accuracy, safety and scalability.

While AI offers speed and efficiency, it’s true value lies in improving the lives and that starts with listening, learning and leading with purpose. If we can reduce pajama time documentation or identify a patient’s propensity to develop sepsis before it happens, then we are doing something right.

Thank you to the evening’s sponsor: Howard Medical.

Blog submitted by: Caroline Chamberlain, Vitea