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The Future of AI in Healthcare:
What to Expect in 2025 and The Role of Medical Associations

By Elizabeth Schumacher, JD

In July 2023, I underwent my fourth kidney transplant—a deeply personal journey that shaped not only my outlook on life but also my thoughts about the future of medicine. During recovery, I found myself in a quiet café near Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin. As I sipped my coffee, I came across an article by Dr. Daniela Lamas, a critical care physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The title stopped me in my tracks: “A.I. Chatbots Defeated Doctors at Diagnosing Illness.”

I read it once, then again, and a third time, each pass filling me with awe and questions. Could machines really do what I once believed only human intuition and years of training could accomplish? A few months later, at the “AI for Associations” conference hosted by @digitalnow, Amith Nagarajan spoke about how AI was transforming industries. The words echoed in my mind: “Healthcare is next.”

As a patient, entrepreneur, and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how technology can mean the difference between life and death. And now, standing on the brink of a revolution, I believe medical associations hold the key to unlocking AI’s transformative potential—while ensuring it remains human-centered and ethically sound.

2025: A Year of Transformation in Healthcare

The horizon of 2025 isn’t just about technological breakthroughs. It’s about reshaping how we care for patients, approach research, and balance innovation with empathy. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come—and how medical associations can lead the way:

1. Personalized Medicine and Predictive Analytics

Imagine a world where treatments are as unique as the patients receiving them. AI can analyze genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to tailor therapies and predict risks before symptoms even surface.

  • Example Tool: IBM Watson Health is already pioneering personalized care.
  • Action Step: Medical associations can collaborate with developers to ensure these tools are practical, effective, and inclusive.
  • Reflection: How would earlier interventions change the trajectory of your patients’ lives? What support would you need to adopt such tools?

2. Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities

In the battle against diseases like cancer and heart disease, time is everything. AI algorithms, trained to spot the unseeable, can revolutionize early detection and improve survival rates.

  • Example Tool: Aidoc assists radiologists in identifying anomalies in medical imaging with remarkable precision.
  • Action Step: Advocate for diverse datasets to eliminate bias and guide AI integration into diagnostic workflows.
  • Reflection: How many lives could be saved in your specialty with earlier detection? How do you think AI can help save lives in this way?


3. Telemedicine and Virtual Triage

Imagine a patient, miles from the nearest clinic, receiving quality care through an AI-powered virtual assistant. With workforce shortages intensifying, these tools could bridge the gap between need and availability.

  • Example Tool: Babylon Health uses AI for virtual consultations and symptom triage.
  • Action Step: Standardize telemedicine tools and train professionals to harness AI for equitable access.
  • Reflection: What role can telemedicine play in addressing gaps in care in your community? Feel free to share your thoughts below!

4. Operational Efficiency and Workflow Optimization

The toll of administrative tasks often overshadows the joy of patient care. AI can lighten the load—automating scheduling, billing, and other routines, giving practitioners time to focus on what matters most.

  • Example Tool: Olive AI streamlines healthcare operations to reduce burnout and improve efficiency.
  • Action Step: Offer resources that simplify AI adoption and ensure systems benefit both patients and providers.
  • Reflection: How much more meaningful could your work become with time freed for patient interaction? Share any thoughts as a health care provider or patient below.

5. Research and Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are often hampered by delays in recruitment and data analysis. AI’s ability to analyze massive datasets and identify ideal candidates can accelerate discoveries that save lives.

  • Example Tool: Deep 6 AI revolutionizes patient recruitment for trials.
  • Action Step: Partner with AI platforms to enhance research initiatives and bring groundbreaking treatments to patients faster.
  • Reflection: What challenges in your research could AI help solve today? Share any obstacles you face in your research below and how you wish AI could help, allowing you to practice at the top of your license or research time.


The Role of Medical Associations: Champions of Change

Medical associations are more than just organizations—they’re communities built on shared purpose and a commitment to improving lives. In this new era, their role is indispensable.

  1. Education and Training: Equip members with AI literacy, so every practitioner feels confident navigating these tools. Medical associations can develop comprehensive educational programs focused on AI applications in healthcare. This will empower practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage AI technologies effectively, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their profession.
  2. Ethical Leadership: Define standards for transparency, data privacy, and bias reduction to ensure AI prioritizes patient well-being. This includes addressing concerns related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the transparency of AI decision-making processes.  Health care providers, who follow an ethical code and understand how the human body works and how health systems operate, are in the best position to ensure that technology and patient care converge in the right way.
  3. Collaborative Research: Unite practitioners and developers to create solutions that address real-world challenges. Medical associations have the opportunity to survey members, capture patient insights, and drive out information quickly. Many medical associations are loaded with the very best academic experts in specialties and that expertise can ensure research initiatives are accurate, help recruit principal investigators from both academic and private practice and save significant time and resources. 
  4. Knowledge Sharing: Foster platforms where members can exchange insights and experiences with AI, learning from one another. Medical associations have niche digital tools, websites and other platforms built specifically for organizing and engaging their members. They can quickly engage grassroots, feedback and distribute information to members. Association members also trust and know their organizations well, and thus receiving a request for sharing insights, knowledge or other information is welcomed and appreciated to advance their organizational mission and specialty knowledge.


A Vision Rooted in Humanity

The future of AI in healthcare isn’t just about machines—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring every advancement reflects the compassion and care at the heart of medicine. As we navigate this transformation, we must balance innovation with integrity, progress with principles, and technology with the timeless art of healing.

Actionable Takeaway

Explore AI tools like IBM Watson Health, Aidoc, and Olive AI to see how they could enhance your practice. Advocate for your association to prioritize training and resources that align with this technological shift.

Closing Thought

Change is coming, but it’s not something to fear—it’s an opportunity to redefine the way we care for others. Together, we can shape a future where AI complements, rather than replaces, the human touch that makes medicine extraordinary. How will you prepare for this journey? The future is here—let’s build it together.

Are you ready to bring your association’s mission to life?