As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves into a must-have technology in almost every industry, health care organizations continue to develop—and even accelerate—their AI strategies in 2020: 83 percent have an AI strategy in place, and another 15 percent are planning on creating one, according to the third annual Optum Survey on AI in Health Care.  In fact, 56 percent say they are accelerating or expanding their AI deployment timelines in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, demonstrating the importance of this business tool during the most stressful times. Furthermore, senior health care executives are increasingly optimistic that their AI investments will soon pay dividends, with 59 percent anticipating AI delivering tangible costs savings within three years, a 90 percent increase since 2018.

The Optum Survey showed that optimism about AI is fueled by seeing more and more tangible benefits, including improving health care outcomes and business performance. Most importantly, these insights demonstrate that as those in late-stage AI implementation grow more familiar with AI—as well as the benefits it yields—they in turn become more comfortable and confident, generating momentum in which AI grows more beneficial more quickly. With AI, the more quickly organizations in early or middle stages of AI deployment move forward, the sooner they will overcome uncertainty and unlock the rewards of this powerful business tool.