Connaught Award-Supported Publication Explores AI Transformation in Healthcare

A new paper led by IHPME faculty member Dr. Abi Sriharan exploring AI transformation in healthcare and how leaders can integrate AI has been published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR).

By: Marielle Boutin

“Leadership for AI Transformation in Health Care Organization: Scoping Review” provides insight into how healthcare leaders can leverage AI technologies to better manage rising costs and meet increasing service demands.

According to Dr. Sriharan, the successful integration of AI into healthcare depends on leaders’ ability to align the technology with staff needs, organizational goals, and culture to close the gap between the capabilities of AI and how it is used.  

“As someone who studies innovation, I was intrigued by this paradox—the promise of AI versus the realities of its integration in practice,” says Dr. Sriharan. 

The research and its findings were made possible through a grant from the Connaught Global Challenge Research Program, which supports new collaborations between researchers, students, and experts from across the globe to address societal challenges.  

The grant was instrumental in generating interdisciplinary collaboration by connecting Dr. Sriharan and her team to researchers from across the globe to explore how AI is shaping healthcare organizations. Apart from the article, support from the Connaught grant also enabled the launch of educational programs for emerging leaders such as the monthly AI Seminar Series in collaboration with the Krembil Centre for Healthcare Management and Leadership, as well as a new Knowledge Hub that provides AI news and developments tailored to the needs of healthcare organizations and decision-makers.

The article suggests that AI can only be integrated into healthcare effectively if it extends beyond traditional IT functions, and calls on cross-collaboration between clinical, technological, and managerial areas. “This ensures AI is integrated in a way that aligns with organizational goals, enhances care delivery, and preserves the essential human elements of healthcare,” says Dr. Sriharan.  

The paper also advocates for the use of AI to support routine tasks, but states that a human element is still necessary to maintain a level of empathy and ethical judgement, ensuring it complements rather than replaces the human touch that is needed in patient care. 

Given the ongoing discussions around AI in healthcare, the paper will contribute to shaping policy and practice in the field by providing evidence-based insights on the governance and leadership structures necessary for responsible AI integration.  

AI is evolving fast, and healthcare organizations must prioritize making it a part of their strategic planning and ensure everyone has access to AI tools and knows how to utilize them in the appropriate settings. Currently, AI technology is largely confined to academic institutions with the financial means and capacity to monitor developments.  

“AI will become a strategic priority for all healthcare organizations within the next three to five years,” says Dr. Sriharan. “It’s crucial that organizations proactively define their AI strategies, as there is no universal solution. Each organization must tailor its approach based on size, scope, and available resources. Failure to do so could result in serious risks, including compromised patient safety and financial strain.” 

Dr. Sriharan is motivated to explore how workforce, culture, and governance shape the adoption of AI innovations in healthcare, providing the guidance needed to scale AI equitably and transform patient care.