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Healthcare organizations accelerate AI adoption despite security threats and skill gaps, Forrester finds
Healthcare tech budgets hit $69 billion in 2026, up 7.6%, as 93% of organizations reported at least one cyberattack last year. Over 70% have piloted generative AI, but security risks and staff skill gaps remain the top barriers to wider adoption.
Healthcare Spending Jumps 7.6% as Organizations Roll Out AI Despite Security Risks
Healthcare organizations are investing heavily in technology and moving fast to adopt artificial intelligence, but cybersecurity threats and workforce skill gaps are slowing progress. A Forrester Consulting study commissioned by AWS Marketplace surveyed 450 U.S. healthcare directors and senior leaders responsible for technology strategy in early 2026.
Healthcare providers' technology budgets will reach $69 billion in 2026, up from $64 billion in 2025-a 7.6% year-over-year increase. More than 80% of survey respondents plan to increase spending by 10% or more over the next year.
Security Tops the Priority List
Security concerns dominate technology planning. Ninety percent of respondents said they are dedicating resources to strengthening enterprise security over the next 12 months. Aligning IT and non-tech departments (86%), adopting better data and analytics (85%), and increasing regulatory compliance (84%) followed.
The need is urgent. In the past year, 93% of healthcare organizations experienced at least one cyberattack, and nearly 75% reported disruptions to patient care as a result.
Internal Gaps Undermine Progress
Beyond external threats, organizations face internal obstacles. Nearly half of respondents said employees lack the training and skills to develop their technology infrastructure. Forty-four percent reported difficulty maintaining compliance requirements, and 42% said legacy systems are outdated.
AI Pilots Advance Despite Resistance
More than 70% of healthcare organizations have already piloted generative AI. Reported benefits include improved content analysis and decision-making, better employee experience, improved patient outcomes, and enhanced employee productivity.
Adoption isn't smooth. Nearly half of respondents (49%) said employees resist using generative AI, and 46% said staff lack the necessary skills.
Agentic AI Gains Momentum
Healthcare leaders are looking beyond basic generative AI to agentic systems-AI that can autonomously perform tasks and make decisions. More than half of respondents (53%) expect to have fully operationalized AI agents across their enterprises within two years.
The appetite is substantial. Eighty-five percent want AI agents that automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows, and 80% anticipate their workforce will become at least 50% more productive as a result.
Top areas for deployment include data integration and analysis (65%), patient communication (54%), appointment scheduling (46%), clinical decision support tools (40%), and personalized care or treatments (38%).
Security and Skills Remain Barriers
Concerns about agentic AI are significant. Seventy-eight percent cited security risks, 69% pointed to a lack of skilled workers, and 50% said they struggle to identify clear use cases.
Healthcare organizations are investing in AI for Healthcare and exploring AI Agents & Automation to drive productivity and improve patient care. Success will depend on closing skill gaps and strengthening defenses against an expanding threat surface.