Beyond AI Pilots: 3 Strategies To Successfully Scale AI In Healthcare

Forbes

21 hours ago

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic vision in healthcare — it's already proving its worth. From accelerating early diagnoses to streamlining administrative tasks, AI pilots have showcased real potential to transform clinical and operational outcomes. And yet, one stubborn challenge persists: why do so few AI initiatives in healthcare successfully scale?
Take the example of a surgical AI assistant built to enhance workflow and support clinical decision-making. In a small clinical setting, it works brilliantly — surgeons report greater efficiency, patients see better outcomes, and leadership is eager to expand. But when the same AI solution is rolled out across a large hospital network, it falters. Diverse EHR systems, inconsistent workflows, and organizational complexity overwhelm the AI solution. The problem isn't just AI development — it's the absence of a systemwide strategy.
Too often, healthcare AI is approached as a one-off experiment rather than a systemic investment. Pilots are launched in isolation, without long-term planning, institutional alignment, or operational readiness. As a result, even promising AI solutions lose traction once they leave the sandbox.
For healthcare executives aiming to move beyond pilots and build scalable, AI-enabled enterprises, the path forward requires a more holistic approach. That means embedding AI into strategic planning, aligning with core clinical and business objectives, and defining measurable return on investment (ROI)— not just in financial terms, but in outcomes, experience, and equity. It also means investing in robust governance, workforce readiness, and cross-functional collaboration from day one.
Because at the end of the day, the success of AI in healthcare won't be measured by how innovative the technology is — but by how effectively it improves outcomes, empowers clinicians, and delivers patient-centered care at scale.
Here are three strategies to help healthcare organizations scale AI successfully:
Alignment is the foundation for scaling AI. Solutions that advance both patient care and financial goals create a compelling value proposition—unlocking leadership support and operational resources.
Intermountain Healthcare's sepsis early warning system is a textbook example. By targeting a critical clinical problem—early sepsis detection—the AI model saved lives and reduced ICU stays, yielding cost savings as a natural byproduct. This dual focus enabled rapid adoption across the system.
Traditionally, AI ROI emphasized cost reduction—streamlining staffing, minimizing billing errors, or shortening stays. Today's leaders recognize that ROI must be more holistic.
At UCLA Health, AI-powered clinical documentation through voice technology didn't just boost efficiency—it significantly reduced physician burnout, freeing clinicians to spend more time with patients. This 'experience ROI' is critical in today's care environment.
Kaiser Permanente goes further by embedding equity into AI evaluation. They measure success by how well AI tools serve diverse patient populations, ensuring fair and effective care for all. By assessing outcomes, experience, adoption, and fairness, leaders gain a richer understanding of AI's true value.
Scaling AI is as much about people as technology. The Cleveland Clinic's cross-disciplinary AI hubs demonstrate how integrated teams—including clinicians, engineers, compliance, and frontline staff—create sustainable AI adoption and innovation.
This collaborative model ensures that AI solutions are responsibly implemented, continuously improved, and truly fit clinical workflows.
Scaling AI in healthcare demands more than advanced algorithms—it requires embedding AI within strategic priorities, aligning with both clinical and business goals, and redefining ROI to include outcomes, experience, and equity. Strong governance, workforce readiness, and cross-functional collaboration are equally essential.
When these elements come together, AI moves from isolated pilots to transformative enterprise assets—delivering measurable value for patients, providers, and health systems alike.