Building Trust in Agentic AI for Healthcare Improvement

Understanding Agentic AI: A New Frontier in Healthcare

The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the healthcare landscape, promising to alleviate pressing administrative burdens faced by healthcare professionals. The recent HIMSS25 conference showcased the potential of agentic AI—a subset of generative AI capable of making complex decisions autonomously—to reshape clinical workflows in significant ways. However, while these tools have the potential to enhance productivity, there are lingering questions about their accuracy and reliability, underscoring the importance of building trust among users.

Building Trust in AI Solutions

According to Aaron Neinstein, Chief Medical Officer of Notable, a company deploying agentic AI solutions across the U.S., trust is a vital component in the successful implementation of AI in healthcare. As autonomous systems begin to play a larger role in clinical decision-making, the question of how to establish and maintain trust in these technologies becomes paramount. Recent studies, such as a scoping review published in *Frontiers in Health Services*, identify factors influencing trust in AI, pointing to a need for a holistic approach that accounts for individual perceptions, the technology's characteristics, and the broader contextual factors at play in healthcare environments.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite the promising benefits agentic AI offers, challenges abound. As noted in a review of medical AI trust issues by Thomas P. Quinn, eroded public confidence can occur if AI systems fail or demonstrate biases, which could lead to damaging patient outcomes. Moreover, the ambiguous legal landscapes regarding AI liability may deter healthcare practitioners from adopting these technologies. To efficiently navigate these challenges, healthcare organizations must prioritize transparency and accountability mechanisms in AI development.

The Future of AI in Healthcare

Looking ahead, fostering trust in AI systems in healthcare hinges on proactive education and accreditation for healthcare professionals working with these technologies. Developing interdisciplinary teams comprising AI experts, healthcare practitioners, ethicists, and patient advocates can bridge the knowledge gaps necessary for seamless integration. This initiative will not only enhance trust but also ensure that AI systems align with fundamental healthcare ethics and patient-centered paradigms.

Cultivating a Trustworthy AI Environment

To cultivate an environment of trust, healthcare organizations must engage in continuous dialogue about AI's role, fostering understanding and reducing apprehensions surrounding new technologies. As more healthcare providers explore AI applications, establishing metrics to evaluate their efficacy and reliability will be essential in gradually building both professional and public confidence in these transformative tools.

Underpinning Values with Campaigns for Trust

Healthcare organizations can undertake campaigns aimed at educating both clinicians and patients on the functionalities and limitations of AI. Incorporating real-world examples of successful AI implementations could serve as powerful testimonials, illustrating how these systems complement human judgment rather than replacing it, reinforcing the collaborative nature of modern healthcare.