Global integration of AI in healthcare systems

The integration of artificial intelligence and digital technologies into healthcare systems is expanding globally, moving from experimental stages toward practical clinical and administrative applications.

In the Nordic region, AI is transitioning from pilot projects to routine operations within the public sector. Approximately one-third of documented AI initiatives are now in regular use for tasks such as image analysis, speech recognition, and automated monitoring, with notable successes in stroke diagnostics and breast cancer screening. To support this, the proposed Nordic AI-Health Initiative aims to create a platform for secure, regulatory-compliant access to large-scale health data to develop generalizable models.

Other regions are focusing on specialized training and remote care. In South Korea, medical and IT staff are undergoing intensive training in generative AI tools, such as retrieval-augmented generation, to bridge the gap between theory and hospital utility. Meanwhile, in Greece, initiatives include piloting telemedicine via portable diagnostic kits for home examinations and testing AI algorithms in emergency departments to assist with patient triage.