Italy could save approximately €21.74 billion annually by using AI in healthcare, cutting costs by 10-15%. AI could automate up to 36% of tasks in the health and social sectors, allowing human resources to focus on higher-value activities and improving system sustainability. The country also faces a looming shortage of around 16,500 doctors by 2025 and currently lacks approximately 50,000 nurses.
As reported by Rome Business School, the use of artificial intelligence by Italian companies is growing steadily in all sectors: 47.1% of them will use it in their production processes in 2023, 33% of companies in sales and marketing (+9% compared to 2021), but only 26% of Italian healthcare companies planned to invest in AI in 2023. However, the implementation of AI in healthcare processes could save Italy around EUR 21.74 billion per year, reducing healthcare costs by 10-15%.
These are among the conclusions of the research ‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Italy from Finance to Healthcare’ by Rome Business School, edited by Valentino Megale, Lecturer of the International MBA; Francesco Baldi, Lecturer of the International Master in Finance; Massimiliano Parco, Economist, Centro Europa Ricerche; and Valerio Mancini, Director of the Rome Business School’s Dissemination Research Centre.
In Italy, the AI market in healthcare is expected to reach EUR 3.19 billion by 2030. Important numbers also in view of the ageing of the Italian population – according to ISTAT estimates, by 2050 more than 3 out of 10 Italians will be over 65.
AI applied to intelligent medical devices, remote monitoring systems, and assistive robotics not only enables personalised and timely care, but also constitutes an important support for healthcare workers. In fact, with current development, AI has the potential to automate up to 36% of tasks in the health and social care sector, freeing up human resources for more value-added tasks and increasing the sustainability of the system.
“Integrating AI into the healthcare system would bring relief to workers in the sector, who are increasingly overburdened and at risk of burn out, and to patients who would face shorter waiting times, while maintaining an accurate and personalised service, always under the guidance of the doctor. AI is a tool that accompanies but does not replace professionals” says Valentino Megale
In response to staff shortages, increasing patient numbers and burdensome bureaucracy, the adoption of AI in the Italian and European healthcare sector is growing rapidly: in 2023 its global value was about $208bn, rising to $1,848bn in 2030 (Statista). The Italian market for AI in healthcare has practically doubled in the last two years and sees pharmaceutical companies participating in international partnerships with big Big Tech and with companies specialised in AI platforms for healthcare, or collaborating in an open innovation perspective with local start-ups (in Italy there are at least 70 developing AI systems applied to Life Sciences).
‘The watchword for the success of technology services among seniors is simplified access: the over-65 population demands services that are easy to use, efficient and tailored to their needs,’ says Francesco Baldi.
A clear example are smart homes, a fast-growing market at European level (EUR 37.8 billion by 2025) and wearables, biometric sensors that enable the detection of data such as vital data. Integration with artificial intelligence solutions allows this data to be analysed in real time, identifying anomalies and providing timely alerts to both users and healthcare professionals.
Benefits and applications: the adoption of AI in healthcare
AI, in healthcare, represents a promise of efficiency and savings: potentially, in Italy, its use could reduce costs by around 10-15%, saving approximately EUR 21.74 billion per year. Not only that, according to the OECD, AI can help healthcare professionals spend more quality time on care, allowing them to focus more on interacting with patients rather than transcribing notes and administrative work.
In Italy, a doctor spends 23 out of 40 working hours on bureaucracy and paperwork. ‘AI allows, for example, to reduce gaps, minimise telephone communication and potentially open up more appointment slots. The result is improved patient access to care and a massive reduction in scheduling work that overloads office staff. AI can also be a game changer when it comes to paperwork for medical reimbursements, helping nurses to file paperwork more quickly and accurately,’ says Massimiliano Parco.
The uses of AI go beyond paperwork: at the Sant’Andrea University Hospital in Rome, software is in use that autonomously identifies fractures that might escape the human eye, to support the doctor who then re-reads them for possible confirmation. Furthermore, in MRI scans, the new algorithms manage to save up to 50 per cent of time, and in CT scans, images are acquired with 60 per cent less radiation.
Despite its great potential, the practical adoption of AI in the healthcare sector is still limited. AI is often only considered in a few ASLs and small trial areas. Furthermore, in 2023 only 26% of Italian healthcare companies planned to invest in AI and only 4% intended to use PNRR funds for this purpose.
“The introduction of AI, in healthcare as in any other sector, emerges as a profoundly human process that must adapt to healthcare workers through a human-centric approach, respect their integrity and address their concerns, while encouraging the adoption and enrichment of skills. It undoubtedly represents an important opportunity to reduce costs and improve services to the population,” Valerio Mancini concludes.
