Should Healthcare Leaders Build or Buy AI Solutions?
The healthcare sector is at a crossroads with AI adoption. Leaders must decide whether to develop AI tools in-house—leveraging models like ChatGPT and Claude—or to partner with specialised healthcare AI providers. This choice matters deeply as investments in healthcare AI reached $32.3 billion in 2024 and are expected to surge to $208.2 billion by 2030.
Building AI internally offers control and the prospect of high returns. But the path is costly and time-consuming. Recruiting specialised talent often costs between $1.8 million and $3.85 million in the first year alone. Projects typically take over a year to launch. Add regulatory hurdles such as FDA approvals and HIPAA compliance, which require extensive documentation and ongoing oversight, and the challenge grows.
Why Buying AI Solutions Makes Sense
Partnering with established healthcare AI platforms speeds up deployment to 3-6 months and cuts costs by 60-80%. These platforms come equipped with compliance features and deep domain expertise that internal teams would take years to build. Success rates back this up: internal AI projects succeed only 30-40% of the time, while partnerships see 80-90% success.
The Case for a Hybrid Approach
Many healthcare organisations benefit from a hybrid strategy. Using external platforms addresses immediate needs quickly, while developing internal AI skills over time builds long-term capacity. This approach frees leaders to focus on patient care rather than technology and compliance hurdles.
- Build AI in-house for customisation and control but prepare for higher costs and longer timelines.
- Buy from trusted AI platforms for faster, cost-effective, and compliant solutions.
- Combine both methods to balance speed and internal expertise growth.
Making clear, practical build-versus-buy decisions positions healthcare organisations to deliver impactful AI tools efficiently and responsibly.
For those interested in developing AI skills relevant to healthcare, exploring dedicated learning resources can be valuable. Visit Complete AI Training’s courses by job role to find tailored AI education options.
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