Healthcare Leaders Grapple With Building vs. Buying AI Tools
Healthcare organizations now face a new set of decisions as AI capabilities expand beyond data analysis. A webinar hosted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health examined what health systems should build, buy, and scale as large language models and AI agents become accessible through low-code development tools.
The acceleration means healthcare leaders can now create workflows and build applications in ways that weren't possible a year ago. But capability doesn't answer the strategic question: which problems warrant internal development versus buying existing solutions.
What's Driving the Shift
AI has already changed how healthcare organizations collect and analyze data. The next wave involves using these tools to build new systems and processes. Generative AI and LLM tools now enable prototyping and application development at speeds that bypass traditional software development cycles.
This speed creates organizational challenges. Teams must decide whether to move fast with internal tools or wait for mature vendor solutions. The wrong choice wastes resources in either direction.
The Speakers
The panel included:
- Aman Bhandari, Chief AI and Analytics Officer at SCAN Group
- John Brownstein, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Boston Children's Hospital
- Heather Mattie, Lecturer on Biostatistics at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Trishan Panch, CEO of LUNRStudio and Chief Strategy Officer at Lumin Health
Rifat Atun, Vice Dean for Non-Degree Education and Innovation at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, moderated the discussion.
Building Skills in Healthcare
Healthcare organizations need staff who understand both clinical workflows and AI capabilities. Harvard's Advanced Learning Academy offers courses on AI for Healthcare, including tracks on responsible implementation and building solutions beyond prototype stage.
The gap between what's possible and what's practical remains wide. Organizations that invest in internal expertise can move faster, but they also shoulder the risk of building systems that don't scale or integrate with existing infrastructure.
Your membership also unlocks:
