There is no denying that the future of healthcare technology – from streamlining workflows to information searches and care delivery support – is being shaped by AI. The enthusiasm from clinicians, administrators, and health consumers is growing. The concern that remains is security and the reliability of open-sourced or unvalidated AI tools:
- A KFF poll found one in six US adults uses free AI-generated platforms and chatbots to find health information at least once per month.
- In a Wolters Kluwer survey of clinicians and healthcare administrators, 17% admitted to using unauthorized AI tools in the workplace, mostly to improve speed and workflow.
As AI becomes more pervasive in healthcare workflows, healthcare leaders and clinical users must ask the right questions when evaluating AI-powered solutions. Beyond understanding what an AI tool can do, it’s essential to explore how it addresses real-world concerns like privacy, reliability, and clinical relevance.
Top 5 questions to ask vendors about their healthcare AI solutions
Attendees at the HIMSS 2026 conference can use this practical guide with five key questions to help navigate conversations with vendors and participants, helping them identify AI-enhanced solutions that are not only innovative but also trustworthy and effective in clinical care.
1. How is the AI validated for clinical use?
Understanding how an AI tool and the content it delivers are tested to ensure its reliability and relevance in real-world clinical scenarios is critical. Solutions that combine expert clinical judgment with structured, repeatable evaluation methods can help mitigate some of the concerns that AI use brings to patient care.