Earlier today this short video lecture was presented at an AI and physiotherapy theme day for the Norwegian Physiotherapy Association. I wanted to explore the idea of a ‘cognitive health system’ (a health system that can think), and the impact something like that would have on health professions practice.
To be clear, we’re not even remotely close to the point where we could integrate AI into the system at this kind of scale. But it’s an interesting thought experiment that might help us prepare conceptually for the day when this happens (as I believe it will).
Abstract. Healthcare stands at the threshold of a fundamental transformation as AI systems evolve from isolated tools into interconnected agents capable of thinking and acting within the healthcare ecosystem. This presentation explores the emergence of cognitive health systems, where human and machine intelligence form coalitions to deliver care.
I describe why adaptation to these changes is not just beneficial but necessary, considering the implications of distributed agency, system-wide learning, and evolving patient expectations. The presentation emphasises the move beyond individual AI applications to consider how healthcare professionals can thrive in a system characterised by human-machine collaboration.
Key areas for professional adaptation are identified, including the development of new forms of expertise, evolution of clinical practice guidelines, building professional resilience, and contributing to system development. The presentation concludes by addressing how healthcare professionals can actively shape this transformation while preserving the core values of healthcare.
Rather than presenting a dystopian view of AI replacing human healthcare providers, this talk offers a practical framework for understanding and adapting to a future where human expertise is augmented by, rather than replaced by, artificial intelligence.