Former US White House and World Health Organisation adviser Dr Ezekiel Emanuel has said that artificial intelligence could play a major role in easing pressure on New Zealand’s overstressed healthcare system. Speaking in Auckland ahead of the nib Health Innovators’ Summit, Emanuel argued that “liberal doses” of AI could help improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver better patient outcomes across the public health sector. The summit, attended by Health Minister Simeon Brown and ACT leader David Seymour, is focused on exploring new models of healthcare funding and alternative care systems designed to boost productivity. Emanuel’s comments come amid growing concern over long waiting times, staffing shortages, and increasing demand on public services. He suggested that smarter use of technology, particularly AI-driven tools, could help streamline administrative workloads and support clinical decision-making, ultimately reducing bottlenecks and improving access to care for patients across the country.
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