The healthcare industry has traditionally been slow to adopt emerging technologies, but the rise of generative AI (gen AI) is changing the game. At HIMSS 2025, leading healthcare organizations showcased how gen AI-powered search and AI agents are driving significant improvements in patient care and administrative efficiency. From reducing the workload on medical professionals to enabling faster access to critical health data, these innovations are reshaping the healthcare landscape.
The Role of AI Agents in Healthcare
AI agents are intelligent systems designed to execute tasks autonomously, often mimicking human cognitive abilities. In healthcare, they assist with a range of responsibilities, from managing appointments to analyzing medical images and aiding in clinical decision-making.
One notable example is Basalt Health, which has introduced AI agents designed to support medical assistants (MAs). These agents streamline administrative tasks such as preparing patient charts, identifying care gaps, and flagging essential health screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies. Operating within a secure Google Cloud environment, Basalt’s AI agents leverage Vertex AI, Gemini, and other Google Cloud technologies to ensure accuracy and efficiency while maintaining ethical standards around data privacy and bias reduction.
Meanwhile, Google Agentspace is making it easier for healthcare organizations to develop AI agents that seamlessly connect with data sources, automate workflows, and enhance operational performance. With Gemini’s advanced reasoning and Google-quality search capabilities, healthcare institutions can build smarter and more responsive AI-driven tools.
Revolutionizing Healthcare Search with Gen AI
Healthcare organizations manage vast amounts of data, yet finding relevant information remains a challenge. Traditional keyword-based searches often fall short, making AI-powered search tools a game-changer. These tools use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to understand the intent behind search queries, delivering precise and contextual results.
At HIMSS 2025, several organizations showcased how Vertex AI Search for healthcare is enhancing clinical decision-making:
- Freenome: This biotech company is collaborating with Google Cloud to improve colorectal cancer screening rates. By leveraging AI to analyze de-identified patient data—including demographics and social determinants of health—Freenome can better identify candidates for early cancer detection, ensuring more timely screenings.
- Counterpart Health: A subsidiary of Clover Health, Counterpart Health is utilizing Vertex AI Search within its Counterpart Assistant This AI-driven system provides clinicians with instant access to insights from over 100 integrated data sources, supporting early disease detection and effective management of chronic conditions.
- MEDITECH: By integrating AI-powered search directly into its electronic health records (EHR) system, Expanse, MEDITECH enables clinicians to quickly summarize and retrieve relevant patient records, lab results, and medical notes, streamlining decision-making and improving efficiency.
- Suki: This AI-powered assistant offers a conversational search experience, allowing doctors to ask questions like, “What are the latest recommendations for colorectal cancer screening based on family history?” and receive instant, AI-generated answers. Suki’s expanded capabilities now support ambient documentation, coding suggestions, and medical reference searches, making it one of the most comprehensive clinical assistants available.
The Future of AI in Healthcare
As AI technology continues to evolve, its impact on healthcare will only grow. AI agents and generative AI-powered search tools are already reducing administrative burdens, improving diagnostic accuracy, and ensuring that clinicians have access to the most relevant patient information. With ongoing advancements, these technologies will play a crucial role in enhancing patient care, streamlining workflows, and driving innovation across the healthcare sector.
By leveraging the power of AI, healthcare organizations can transition from a data-rich but information-poor system to a truly intelligent, patient-centered approach—one where medical professionals spend less time searching for information and more time delivering exceptional care.
FAQs
1. What is generative AI, and how is it used in healthcare?
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create content, analyze complex data, and automate processes. In healthcare, it is used for AI-powered search, administrative automation, patient record analysis, and clinical decision support.
2. How do AI agents benefit healthcare professionals?
AI agents assist healthcare professionals by automating administrative tasks, summarizing patient records, scheduling appointments, and even analyzing medical images. This reduces workload, allowing doctors and nurses to focus more on patient care.
3. What is Vertex AI Search, and how does it improve healthcare search capabilities?
Vertex AI Search is an advanced AI-powered search tool that helps healthcare organizations find relevant data quickly. It uses natural language processing to understand queries, making it easier for clinicians to access critical patient information efficiently.
4. How does AI-powered search help in diagnosing and managing diseases?
AI search tools can scan vast amounts of healthcare data, including electronic health records (EHRs), lab reports, and clinical notes, to identify patterns and risk factors. This helps in early diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and effective disease management.
5. How is AI improving cancer screening and early detection?
Companies like Freenome use AI to analyze de-identified patient data, including demographics and risk factors, to identify individuals who may need cancer screenings. This helps improve early detection rates and ensures patients receive timely interventions.
6. Are AI-powered healthcare solutions secure and compliant with data privacy regulations?
Yes, AI solutions in healthcare are designed with strict security protocols and comply with regulations like HIPAA. Companies use secure cloud environments, encryption, and ethical AI practices to protect patient data.
7. Can AI completely replace doctors and medical professionals?
No, AI is designed to assist healthcare professionals, not replace them. It enhances decision-making, automates administrative tasks, and provides insights, but human expertise remains essential in patient care and medical decision-making.
8. What are the challenges of implementing AI in healthcare?
Challenges include ensuring data privacy, addressing algorithmic bias, integrating AI with existing systems, and gaining trust from healthcare professionals and patients. Proper regulations and ethical AI practices are essential for overcoming these challenges.
Read more: Google Unleashes AI to Save Nature: Startups, Grants & Wildlife Tech
