AI in Healthcare: Trends, Strategies, and Barriers Shaping Healthcare in 2026 and Beyond

Imagine a hospital where an intelligent system detects sepsis hours before symptoms appear, or where patient scheduling adjusts itself automatically in real time. 

This is not the distant future. It is already happening in healthcare today, as revealed in the Data and AI Monitor 2025–2026 market research report published by Xebia in collaboration with Data Expo. This edition brings together insights from over 500 professionals across industries, roles, and geographies, including Central Europe, the United States, MEA, and more.   

From Hype to Healing: AI’s Real Role in Healthcare

Healthcare is entering a critical phase of transformation. The sector recognizes AI’s potential to improve patient care and operations, yet many organizations continue to struggle to translate potential into measurable performance.  

Nearly 70 percent of healthcare organizations are experimenting with AI, but only 35 percent have a clear strategy on where and how to apply it. 

This gap shows that success in AI is not about building more algorithms. It is about strengthening the foundations that make them work: 

Without these elements, AI remains a promising pilot instead of a reliable tool for better care. 

Data Quality and Trust: The Real Heart of AI in Medicine

In healthcare, data represents human lives. Yet more than half of organizations say poor data quality and disconnected systems are slowing their AI progress. 

Trust is another major challenge. Only 28 percent of organizations trust AI outputs as much as a colleague’s judgment. In a field where human oversight is essential, that is understandable but also limiting. 

To build confidence in AI, healthcare organizations need: 

At Xebia, we call this human-centric AI. It means designing technology that supports doctors and patients rather than replacing their judgment. 

Want to learn more about the human-centered future of AI in healthcare? Read Giovanni's full blog. 

Turning Pilots into Practice

The Data and AI Monitor report reveals a familiar paradox. Seventy percent of healthcare organizations say they have room to experiment, yet only 27 percent believe they have enough budget to scale those efforts. 

This innovation trap keeps AI stuck in proof-of-concept mode. To move forward, healthcare leaders must connect experimentation with execution. 

At Xebia, we help bridge that gap by aligning data engineers, clinicians, and compliance teams to design AI solutions that are practical, secure, and scalable. 

Responsible AI and the Compliance Challenge

The new European AI Act is reshaping how healthcare organizations handle data and automation. About 45 percent of leaders worry that regulation could slow innovation, yet the most forward-thinking organizations see compliance as a strategic advantage. 

Responsible AI is not a barrier. It is the foundation of trust. 
It ensures that predictions, alerts, and recommendations meet both ethical and clinical standards. 

When governance, transparency, and accountability are incorporated from the beginning, AI becomes not just safe but sustainable. 

People First: The Human Equation in Healthcare AI

AI will not replace healthcare professionals. It will amplify their expertise. 

While 45 percent of organizations believe AI agents could reduce staffing needs, healthcare shows a different pattern. Here, automation supports rather than substitutes. It handles administrative work, summarizes data, and assists clinical decisions, while human experts provide empathy, ethics, and context. 

The formula for modern medicine is clear: AI plus human oversight equals smarter, safer healthcare. 

Xebia Helps Healthcare Organizations Innovate with Confidence 

At Xebia, we help healthcare organizations move from exploration to execution in Data and AI. 

We partner with hospitals, research institutions, and health tech innovators to: 

With more than 25 years of engineering excellence, Xebia helps healthcare organizations turn data into meaningful, measurable impact. 

For example, we helped Intelligent Health, a UK-based company, gain actionable insights through a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and future-ready data platform in just six weeks. Read the full Customer Story here. 

The Prescription for 2025: Align, Govern, Deliver 

The Data and AI Monitor 2025–2026 makes one thing clear. The healthcare leaders of tomorrow will not just use AI. They will govern it, scale it, and trust it. 

Those who align their data strategy, risk management, and workforce development today will define the future of digital medicine tomorrow. 

Xebia is ready to help you turn your data into better care — responsibly and at scale. 

Learn more: Explore Xebia’s Data and AI solutions for Healthcare.