Healthcare’s Next Chapter: Agentic AI Meets Human-Centric Innovation

I’ve spent my career as an executive at the intersection of healthcare and technology, with every stop leading me to this vital prognosis: technology either lifts us up or weighs us down. Right now, with generative AI and agentic AI lighting healthcare’s way, we’re stepping into a moment that will undoubtedly redefine care delivery across the medical landscape. Picture this: workflows that don’t just hum along but connect, adapt, and act — all while keeping the human touch front and center. That’s the promise I see, and it’s one we can’t afford to fumble.

Beyond rules: The power of agentic AI

Automation as we’ve known follows a script — do this, then that. Agentic AI? It’s different. It learns, shifts, and steps up. It’s critical that purveyors of technology harness that difference to build something bigger than task-runners. We’re crafting systems that connect workflows into as frictionless a journey as possible. But the real change happens when we design tools to stand alongside our caregivers, not take their place. I’ve seen firsthand how AI can spot patterns in data like nobody’s business — yet when clinicians are involved the why behind the what becomes clear. Today’s agentic workflows must bake in that human oversight for the big calls. AI boosts the experts; it doesn’t bypass them.

Generative AI: From noise to precision

Let’s cut through the chatter — generative AI isn’t just a shiny toy. Pair it with agentic systems, and you’ve got something real. For example, a new category has erupted in the industry: AI-driven revenue cycle management, proof of what can happen when predictive smarts and human know-how team up. In healthcare, combining tech with human expertise slashes claim denials and compliance issues while increasing efficiencies and giving caregivers time back. As payer rules continue to evolve, augmented technology can intersect them in real time and proactively get ahead of thorny issues. The result: cleaner revenue, fewer bottlenecks, and trust earned through transparency. That’s agentic AI doing what it does best — clearing the path so healthcare can focus on people.

Connecting the dots: Lessons from the trenches

Here’s what I’ve learned building tech for healthcare:

• Data’s got to talk. We’re stitching together EHRs, labs, and devices into one clear picture. That’s the fuel agentic AI needs to work its magic.
• Ethics aren’t optional. Our systems live by HIPAA and lean into empathy — because efficiency without trust is a hollow win.
• Old tech can play nice. We’ve bridged yesterday’s systems with today’s stacks. You don’t always need a wrecking ball to innovate.

Where we’re headed: Care, not just cost

The future belongs to those who see agentic AI as a way to elevate patients, not just trim budgets. But let us be pragmatic — technology isn’t the silver bullet for what ails healthcare. To thrive in this new paradigm, we need:

• Clinicians who aren’t just consumers of AI, but physician leaders who are embracing it and sharing their input to shape the future of medical practice.
• Design that puts patients first. Let AI sweat the routine so caregivers can focus on what matters most, the patient. Leave the chores to tech, and the core to clinicians.
• Smart growth. Chase the wins that hit hard — smarter healthcare, better outcomes.

Let’s get this right

To my friends in healthcare IT: agentic AI isn’t some overhyped fad — it’s a tool we’ve barely begun to wield. Let’s build systems that don’t just speed things up but make care feel more human than ever.

Image: Thai Noipho, Getty Images

Vijay Venkatesan serves as the Chief Technology Officer at IKS Health, where he leads the engineering and technology teams with a focus on building robust, scalable platforms that drive efficiency, innovation, and client value. With over 15 years of leadership experience in healthcare technology, Vijay is a visionary leader who has successfully implemented advanced solutions like Generative AI, machine learning, and big data analytics to solve complex industry challenges.

In his role at IKS Health, Vijay is responsible for overseeing the company’s end-to-end technology strategy, ensuring the seamless integration of engineering and technology initiatives that fuel IKS Health’s growth. His mandate includes not only the internal and external evolution of the company’s tech stack but also fostering a culture of innovation, recruiting top engineering talent, and establishing strategic partnerships to enhance IKS Health’s technological edge.

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