Key Takeaways
- Artificial intelligence chatbots are identified as the top health technology hazard for 2026, with concerns over accuracy and safety.
- IT outages and legacy device cybersecurity issues are also major risks that healthcare organizations need to address.
- Experts emphasize the importance of proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with cybersecurity and technology in healthcare.
AI Chatbots Pose Significant Health Risks
Experts from the ECRI Institute, Rob Schluth and Scott Luney, have identified artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots as the leading health technology hazard for 2026. Unlike traditional medical tools, these chatbots are widely accessible via mobile devices and desktops, often lacking the regulation and validation required for clinical use. Patients are increasingly turning to these tools for self-diagnosis, while clinicians use them to explore treatment options. However, this reliance raises significant safety, security, and privacy concerns.
Schluth acknowledged that, while AI tools can be beneficial, they sometimes generate “questionable results,” leading to potential risks for patient safety and wellness. He stated, “I don’t want to give the impression that these tools are bad. They’re actually really useful and can be very impressive, but they just aren’t always accurate.”
In addition to AI-related risks, IT outages—caused by cyberattacks, natural disasters, or other disruptions—pose considerable dangers to healthcare organizations. Luney emphasized the importance of having a proactive, disaster-ready approach to mitigate the impact of such events.
The interview also highlighted other critical issues, including legacy medical device cybersecurity challenges and the role of third-party vendors, such as cloud and IT providers, which introduce additional security risks. Lessons learned from the 2024 ransomware attack on UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare IT services unit demonstrate the extensive fallout these threats can have on healthcare providers across the U.S.
The ECRI Institute undertakes a comprehensive vetting process to present its annual report on the top health technology hazards. Schluth and Luney noted that between 70 to 100 potential risk issues are evaluated annually to identify and rank these hazards.
With Schluth serving as project lead for the device safety group and Luney heading cybersecurity initiatives, both bring extensive experience in healthcare technology and risk management, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive strategies in the integration of technology within healthcare settings.
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