Experts in technology, medicine and public policy will gather in Brussels on 17 March to discuss how artificial intelligence could reshape healthcare while avoiding risks related to inequality, data protection and regulation.
The discussion will take place during the Euronews Health Summit, where specialists are expected to examine the growing role of digital technologies in European health systems.
Artificial intelligence is already being used in several countries across Europe to support healthcare services. In Finland, AI systems are helping train healthcare professionals, while Estonia is applying the technology to analyse medical data. Hospitals in Spain are also using AI tools to assist in disease detection.
Supporters of the technology say it has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, accelerate drug discovery and reduce administrative burdens faced by doctors and nurses. Many hospitals are already adopting AI-powered tools that automatically record and summarise medical consultations, allowing physicians to spend less time on paperwork and more time interacting with patients.
Health leaders say the technology should support professionals rather than replace them. Hans Kluge said artificial intelligence is already being used by millions of healthcare workers and patients in the region. However, he warned that the benefits will only be fully realised if governments establish strong strategies, safeguards and education programs.
Kluge cautioned that without clear legal frameworks, protections for sensitive data and investment in digital literacy, AI could widen existing health inequalities instead of reducing them.
The issue is becoming increasingly important as healthcare systems face growing pressure from ageing populations and a shortage of medical professionals. Some countries are turning to technology partnerships to help address these challenges.
In January 2026, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and OpenAI announced a $50 million initiative to expand AI-powered healthcare capabilities in African countries. The project will begin in Rwanda with the aim of supporting around 1,000 primary healthcare clinics by 2028.
Despite the potential benefits, experts warn that the rapid expansion of AI also brings significant risks. Studies have shown that some AI language models may provide inaccurate medical guidance or fail to recognise the urgency of serious health conditions. Researchers have also raised concerns about how sensitive biological and patient data is stored and accessed.
According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, only about 8 percent of its member states have adopted a national strategy specifically addressing the use of AI in healthcare.
The summit in Brussels is expected to focus on key questions about the future of digital health. Participants will discuss how algorithms should be regulated, who controls the data used to train AI systems and how policymakers can ensure the technology benefits all patients rather than only those with greater access to resources.
As governments and technology companies continue to invest in AI, experts say decisions made now will shape how healthcare systems evolve in the coming decades.
