Mr Sunil Dadlani

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries across the globe, and healthcare is no exception. As one of the most significant technological advancements of our time, AI, particularly Generative AI (GenAI), has introduced transformative changes in clinical and operational efficiency. To explore its impact, HealthTechX Asia had an insightful conversation with Sunil Dadlani, Chief Information Officer at Atlantic Health System, a leading healthcare network in the United States.

With over 20,000 team members, eight globally recognised hospitals, and more than 550 ambulatory sites serving approximately 7.5 million people, Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of leveraging AI to drive digital transformation. Sunil Dadlani shared his thoughts on AI’s evolving role, the challenges of implementation, and the ethical considerations shaping its future.

The Strategic Impact of Generative AI in Healthcare

The integration of AI into healthcare is not just about technology; it is about solving real-world problems. Sunil emphasised that AI is making significant impact in enhancing clinical, operational, and financial efficiencies, crucial in the face of an acute shortage of healthcare professionals.

“There is an industry-wide acute shortage of workers in every single area, from physicians to technicians to imaging specialists. With demand for healthcare increasing exponentially, cutting-edge technologies such as AI will be critical in alleviating some these pain points,” he said.

At Atlantic Health System, AI is being deployed to enhance patient care, reduce clinician burnout, and optimise administrative tasks. For example, Gen AI-driven clinical documentation has helped cut physician workload, while automation of non-clinical areas such as revenue cycle management, supply chain and insurance verification has delivered administrative efficiency.

Sunil also pointed to ambient voice technologies, or Gen AI-based medical scribes, which automatically generate notes from doctor-patient conversations and seamlessly integrate them into the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Gen AI can further analyse these notes to create summaries, suggest treatment plans, and recommend follow-ups.

Overcoming the Challenges of AI Implementation

While AI holds great promise, integrating it into an established healthcare system comes with significant hurdles, including data security, regulatory compliance, and interoperability.

“AI’s value is indisputable, but it requires careful governance. Patient safety, transparency, and ethical AI deployment must be at the forefront of implementation,” Sunil asserted.

Key challenges Atlantic Health faced during AI deployment included:

• AI Digital Literacy & Change Management

Adoption of AI requires strong leadership buy-in and collaboration between clinicians, IT teams, and administrative bodies. Convincing doctors and healthcare professionals to integrate AI into their workflows was a major challenge.

“AI should be seen as a tool to enhance decision-making, not as a threat to jobs. Educating and involving providers early in the process is key to acceptance,” he emphasised.

• Governance & Ethical AI Deployment

Establishing governance frameworks was crucial to ensure AI technologies align with ethical standards and patient-centric care. Atlantic Health created oversight committees comprising clinical, legal, and IT experts to evaluate AI initiatives.

• Regulatory Compliance & Data Security

As AI regulations often lag technological advancements, Atlantic Health focused on proactive engagement and following ethical and regulatory guidelines when it comes to AI deployment.  

“We prioritise secure-by-design and secure-by-default AI solutions. Compliance and data protection are non-negotiable,” Sunil stated.

• Interoperability & Scalability

Integrating AI solutions into existing EHR and other legacy systems was another challenge. Pilot testing and iterative refinements helped streamline AI adoption across different hospital departments.

• Building Patient Trust in AI-Driven Healthcare

Beyond provider adoption, ensuring patients’ trust in AI is paramount. Transparency, education, and informed consent play a critical role in fostering confidence.

“The relationship between a patient and provider is sacred. AI should enhance, not replace, human interaction,” Sunil emphasised.

“Atlantic Health is committed to ethical AI deployment through a comprehensive, proactive approach that involves cross-functional teams from the inception, selection, and deployment of AI technologies. The organisation also implements rigorous ethical AI auditing, ensuring continuous monitoring and oversight. A human-in-the-loop framework with ongoing feedback and refinement is in place to mitigate bias, prevent misinformation, and maintain optimal performance over time,” he added.

“We ensure our vendors are held accountable through strict transparency requirements that mandate clear disclosure of how AI models are trained, ensuring that all applications remain explainable and trustworthy.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Healthcare

As AI continues to evolve, Sunil believes its role will expand beyond automation and into predictive analytics, precision medicine, and proactive healthcare.

“We are moving towards a future where AI helps predict diseases before they occur, personalises treatment plans, and enhances preventive care,” he said.

Ultimately, “AI is not about replacing humans; it is about empowering them. The future of healthcare is a collaborative one, where AI and human expertise work together to improve patient outcomes and make care more accessible and efficient.”