The global health care sector is increasingly adopting agentic AI to address workforce shortages and rising demand. According to KPMG data cited by technologyreview.com, 68% of health-care providers have integrated AI agents into their operations as of 2026. This shift aims to reduce clinician cognitive load and improve patient care amid a projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, as warned by the World Health Organization.
Agentic AI is being deployed to automate complex back-office tasks, assist medical teams, and triage patients. This approach contrasts with earlier digital tools, such as electronic health records and telehealth services, which often added administrative burdens due to fragmentation and manual data entry. Ashis Barad, MD, chief digital and technology officer, highlighted that previous digitalization efforts failed to alleviate staff workload, prompting the move toward more autonomous AI solutions.
The adoption of agentic AI reflects a broader response to chronic underinvestment and recruitment challenges in health care, compounded by aging populations increasing service demand. The technology’s integration is seen as a necessary evolution to maintain quality care and reduce clinician burnout. This trend aligns with global efforts to rehumanize health care by leveraging AI to support, rather than replace, human workers.
The World Health Organization’s projection of an 11 million health worker shortfall by 2030 underscores the urgency driving AI adoption. With over two-thirds of providers already using agentic AI, the sector is actively transforming care delivery models to meet growing needs, as detailed in the June 2 report by technologyreview.com.