The global healthcare chatbots market is expected to reach around $10.26bn by 2034.
AI chatbots can deliver personalised and cost-friendly healthcare support.
Key areas in the healthcare sector that can benefit from AI chatbots and virtual assistants include mental health, patient documentation, and health parameter tracking.
With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), the healthcare sector is on the verge of major upgrades. Advanced services provided by AI assistants and chatbots enhance patient care and other aspects of healthcare. Some reports suggest that over 85% of leading players in the sector invest in generative AI for clinical documentation and administrative efficiency.
Unlike traditional assistance, these services are available 24/7, and that too at the patient’s and caregiver’s convenience. Even with the push in telehealth, the potential of AI brings breakthroughs. The global healthcare chatbots market is estimated to reach around $10.26bn by 2034.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare accelerates drug discovery, upgrades diagnostic accuracy, and optimizes clinical workflows using generative AI and machine learning. Key applications as of 2026 include AI co-pilots for documentation, rapid medical imaging analysis, and personalized treatment planning. Another example is conversational AI-powered mental health chatbots. They provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and emotional support to those in need.
AI mainly focuses on predictive analytics, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, and personalized care. Health workers analyze patient data, medical images, and genomic information faster with AI. AI can also be used to predict potential health risks and outcomes, speeding up the medical and recovery processes.
The healthcare sector needs knowledge, empathy, and decision-making skills. The key question is, does AI have these skills?
AI tools can improve efficiency when used along with human judgment. The key areas where this can be implemented include:
Identifying patients who can benefit from a particular treatment
Providing personalised treatment plans
Supporting data collection and speeding up analysis and interpretation in clinical trials
Predicting the safety and efficacy of drugs based on molecular structure and interaction with other drugs using algorithms
Handling 24/7 appointments and care
AI assistants can provide surgeons with enhanced visualization and guidance during complex and critical surgical procedures in real time. This includes identifying the exact location of tumors. Greater accuracy leads to reduced risk of complications and damage to health.
AI-powered AR and VR systems can create realistic surgical environments. Helps to provide immersive training. AI algorithms generate 3D reconstructions of a patient's anatomy from medical images. Allows surgeons to plan and execute surgeries with precision. This allows surgeons to practice and improve their skills in a controlled, safe setting.
AI incorporated INTO healthcare can give rise to ‘augmented care’, creating a space where humans and advanced machines can co-exist. This has a promising future. With benefits like tailored treatments, precision medicine, and therapies based on patients’ health history, this concept has a promising future.
AI-powered wearable devices can cause another big boom. Smartwatches that track key health parameters have already found a place in people’s everyday lives, and there is scope for further upgrades. Remote monitoring systems can enhance and scale patient data collection, allowing early detection of abnormalities and enabling proactive care.
Also read: How Modern AI Agents Access and Use External Data in 2026?
What are AI chatbots?
Ans: AI chatbots are advanced software applications that use machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to create human-like conversations. They can be found in both text and voice formats.
What is NLP
Ans: NLP, or natural language processing, helps interpret the intent and meaning behind human queries.
What are the benefits of AI chatbots in healthcare?
Ans: AI chatbots can provide patients instant access to health information. It can also provide support 24/7 at lower operational costs.
What is the main benefit of using AI in healthcare?
Ans: AI can automate clerical responsibilities. It can analyze patient data more efficiently and help diagnose medical conditions.
What is the main purpose of a chatbot?
Ans: The main purpose of a chatbot is to interact with human users in their natural language. It can also create human-like conversations through texts and voice messages.