How AI is changing the face of healthcare

By Kevin McGeachy

October 27^th, 2025

Suffolk County, N.Y.- Northwell Health announced earlier this month that they would be deploying Abridge’s ambient artificial intelligence (AI) to all 28 of their hospitals in their system, citing to “improve clinical documentation of patient conversations” as per Kristin Myers. They join notable companies such as Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins, who have already deployed Abridge’s systems. Their goal is not only to improve documentation, but to write notes faster and make clinicians’ lives easier. However, beyond the excitement of this new development lies a growing question with the public, how much can AI reshape healthcare before it changes the way it feels entirely?

For physician assistant (PA) Jessica Lomabardi, who has worked with obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) for the past three years, AI isn’t something that is going to be rolled out, it’s been a part of her daily routine. “So just recently in the past two months, we've actually implemented an AI program called DeepScribe” she said. “It's been helping us out with patient flow and especially with surgeries and we have to do history and physicals for patients going into the hospital”.

DeepScribe listens to real time patient conversations and automatically drafts sections for clinical notes. This tool connects directly to the practice’s electronic medical record system, as noted by Lomardi. Meaning, providers simply open up the app, start recording and carry on as the application automatically generates documentation of the visit in real time. “There's a microphone and you hit record and you can stop it and start it up as many times as you want.” according to Lombardi. “And then once you say that you're finished with it, it then gets imported from the app into the EMR system.”.

For many clinicians, saving any time is no small feat. According to the American Medical Association, 70% of doctors and advanced providers say they spend 10 hours or more on paperwork and administration. Automating documentation may offer relief from one of modern medicine’s most persistent burdens, the endless paperwork that follows each visit.

Still, Lombardi acknowledges that the rapid deployment of AI comes with mixed emotions. “Documentation, which kills a lot of time in terms of your patient care management” she said “…physicians are already getting so many patients in a day”. It’s clear she does have her worries as now providers may be forced to take on an ever increasing patient load as well.

Lombardi expressed concern for the healthcare workforce itself as well. She stated that she had workers that would often transcribe everything and assist with surgical notes. “…unfortunately, you know, it's helped her out, but on the same side, you know, I wouldn't be surprised if there's risks coming to her job position because now AI might do the role that she's been doing” she stated. When asked, Lombardi admitted she was concerned about AI usage taking over her coworker’s role.

Training seemed to be yet another hurdle. Lombardi described the program rollout as rushed: “We had maybe a 10 minute tutorial and that was pretty much all we had”. “, I actually typed up instructions on how to implement it and use it”.

Despite all these growing pains, she clearly remains optimistic about the future of AI in healthcare. “I think for the right population and the right specialty, I think it could very much benefit.”, she said in response to being asked what she sees the future of AI healthcare as.

As Northwell Health’s Abridge rollout continues and more systems implement similar technologies it seems AI’s foothold in medicine is here to stay. Whether it becomes a clinician’s most valuable time saver, or an overwhelming presence and job killer will remain to be seen