Week of March 9, 2026

As workforce shortages rise, AI could provide health care a path forward

A rapidly aging population, the aftereffects of a global pandemic and heightened patient expectations have placed unprecedented pressure on the health care industry in recent years. Health care providers are under mounting pressure to do more with fewer people while operating within tighter financial constraints. Inflation, rising supply costs and changes in payer mix are further restricting hospital margins.

According to Reuters, projections show an anticipated shortage of nearly 700,000 physicians, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses by 2037. The same study suggested that more than half of U.S. health care workers are actively seeking to leave their current positions, indicating mounting strain on an already overburdened system. Yet despite these challenges, expectations for quality, safety and patient experience remain uncompromising.

Looking ahead

To address ongoing workforce issues, strategic, long-term solutions are necessary for providers to implement.

Technology solutions should reduce burden and support care while preserving, not displacing, human connection. For example, artificial intelligence used as an aid to support clinicians has quickly become a focal point of health care providers looking to ease the burden on their teams and improve workflows and outcomes.

Many providers have invested in AI to support imaging efforts. We have seen a substantial amount of funding flow into health care providers developing AI for automated MRI interpretation. This surge in investment suggests growing confidence that algorithm-driven workflows can ease radiology bottlenecks and provide some relief to the anticipated shortage of health care professionals.

As labor constraints and margin pressure intensify, health systems will likely turn to technology as a lever for resilience, not just efficiency. The real opportunity lies in using these tools, like AI, to support clinicians, improve consistency and bring care closer to patients.

Get additional workforce-related insights in our special report.