Epic Systems faces FTC antitrust probe amid AI expansion

Epic Systems is facing an antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Investigators are reportedly examining how the electronic health record (EHR) giant manages patient data access and whether its employment agreements restrict staff from moving to competitors. Epic has denied any anticompetitive behavior, highlighting its support for standards-based data sharing and interoperability.

During its annual Users Group Meeting in Wisconsin, Epic CEO Judy Faulkner emphasized the company’s focus on artificial intelligence and patient health. The company unveiled several AI-driven tools, including ‘Agent Factory,’ a platform for hospitals to build custom AI agents, and ‘Cosmos Curiosity,’ a predictive tool using de-identified patient data to identify health risks like hospital readmissions.

Epic is also expanding its suite of AI assistants: ‘Art’ for clinicians, ‘Emmie’ for patients via MyChart, and ‘Penny’ for revenue cycle staff. These tools aim to improve organizational productivity, reduce physician burnout, and provide more reliable information to patients than general-purpose chatbots.