Earlier today I presented some thoughts on the near-term future of physiotherapy, assuming we will see the introduction of AI agents into healthcare systems within 3-5 years. Many will disagree with this timeframe but I think if it happens in 5 years, or 25 years, it’s never too early to start preparing.
Presentation summary
AI agents are algorithms that can perceive, decide, and act to achieve objectives. In healthcare, these agents will have capabilities that match or exceed human performance in areas like data analysis, diagnosis, and clinical reasoning. The future points toward multi-agent systems where AI tools actively participate in healthcare delivery by working together, learning from each interaction, and sharing knowledge across systems.
For physiotherapy to adapt, the profession needs to evolve from seeing AI as a mere tool, to understanding its role in a cognitive healthcare system. This means developing skills for working alongside AI in clinical decisions, focusing on uniquely human capabilities, like complex problem-solving and therapeutic relationships, while allowing AI to handle routine tasks. Success will depend on balancing AI capabilities with human-centred care, and implementing changes based on risk level.