Scaling AI Safely Will Define Success for Healthcare Leaders in 2026
MWN-AI** Summary
In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to be a critical determinant of success for healthcare leaders by 2026, according to Kyndryl's recent Healthcare Readiness Report. As organizations grapple with regulatory complexities and rising patient care expectations, many are looking to AI to streamline operations and enhance care delivery. However, a significant challenge has emerged: a notable disconnect exists between the ambition to adopt AI and the capability to implement it safely and compliantly.
The report reveals that 55% of healthcare organizations express concern over meeting evolving regulatory demands, with only 30% feeling prepared to adapt. Moreover, a staggering 76% report having more AI pilot projects than they can effectively scale, largely due to regulatory barriers. To address these issues and support the transition from AI experimentation to comprehensive deployment, Kyndryl introduced a "policy as code" capability which translates regulatory and operational policies into machine-readable formats. This transformation not only facilitates compliance but also reinforces operational resilience, thereby minimizing risk and enhancing trust as AI systems are embedded within clinical workflows.
As healthcare organizations continue to navigate this complex environment, Kyndryl emphasizes that compliance must be integrated into AI systems from the outset rather than added on later. Collaborating with key stakeholders, such as the Servei de Salut de les Illes Balear and the University of Liverpool's Civic Health Innovation Labs, Kyndryl is at the forefront of fostering scalable, responsible AI solutions that align with stringent data protection requirements and improve patient outcomes. Ultimately, successfully scaling AI with robust governance frameworks will be a defining factor for healthcare leaders in the coming years.
MWN-AI** Analysis
As we move into 2026, healthcare leaders face the crucial challenge of scaling AI technologies safely and effectively. The recent findings from Kyndryl’s Healthcare Readiness Report underscore a widening gulf between ambition and practical implementation, indicating that over 76% of healthcare organizations are struggling to scale their AI initiatives beyond pilot programs. This dilemma is exacerbated by concerns over regulatory compliance, with only 30% of organizations feeling adequately prepared to navigate the evolving landscape.
To successfully harness AI in a regulatory-heavy environment, healthcare leaders should prioritize the development of robust AI governance frameworks. Kyndryl’s introduction of the "policy as code" capability serves as a pivotal example, translating complex regulatory requirements into machine-readable formats. This approach not only promises greater compliance but also enhances operational resilience, ensuring that compliance is integrated from the outset rather than retrofitted later.
Investing in the right technological infrastructure is critical. Companies should collaborate with tech providers that specialize in AI and compliance to streamline processes. The case studies involving Kyndryl’s partnerships with the Balearic Islands Health Service and the University of Liverpool highlight the effectiveness of integrating AI with rigorous data protection measures. These initiatives demonstrate how AI can enhance clinical outcomes while adhering to necessary regulations, thus mitigating risks associated with AI deployment.
Looking forward, healthcare organizations must embrace an iterative approach—moving from pilot projects to scalable solutions that can be regularly assessed for effectiveness and compliance. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and regulatory awareness, healthcare leaders will not only improve patient care but also create a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market. In summary, the pathway to successful AI integration in healthcare hinges on strategic governance, robust operational frameworks, and ongoing collaboration with tech partners.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
Kyndryl Readiness Report: Healthcare organizations that modernize and strengthen AI governance will be equipped to meet regulatory demands and patient care expectations
NEW YORK, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today released findings from its Healthcare Readiness Report that reveal healthcare organizations navigating intense operational pressures, growing regulatory complexity and rising expectations are embracing AI to enable modernized, high?quality patient care.
The healthcare industry report shows a widening gap between healthcare organizations' ambition to adopt AI and their ability to scale it safely and compliantly. In fact, more than half (55%) of healthcare organizations are concerned about keeping pace with evolving policy and regulation, while only 30% feel prepared to adapt. At the same time, 76% report having more AI pilots than they can scale, with regulatory and compliance concerns cited by 31% as a key barrier, underscoring the challenge of moving from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact.
To help healthcare organizations move from AI experimentation to trusted, scalable AI, Kyndryl recently launched its policy as code capability, which converts regulatory requirements and operational controls into machine?readable policies. These policies govern how agentic AI workflows operate, enabling consistent enforcement, auditability and trust as AI is embedded into clinical and operational environments.
"Healthcare organizations are operating in one of the most complex regulatory environments in the world, and as AI becomes embedded into clinical and operational workflows, compliance can't be an afterthought. Our policy as code capability allows healthcare providers to translate regulatory, security, and organizational policies directly into their digital and AI systems," said Christine Landry, Global Vice President for Healthcare, Kyndryl Consult. "Enabling these guardrails not only helps ensure consistence compliance but also strengthens resilience by reducing operational risk and helping systems withstand evolving cyber and privacy threats. This gives clinicians and administrators greater confidence that compliance, safety, governance and protections are built in from the start, not bolted on later."
Kyndryl is working with healthcare organizations globally to modernize operations and support responsible AI adoption. For example, Servei de Salut de les Illes Balear (the Balearic Islands Health Service) is collaborating with Kyndryl to develop an AI?enabled platform that supports advanced clinical?genomic analysis, helping accelerate diagnosis while aligning with their security and data protection requirements.
Kyndryl also recently announced a collaboration with the University of Liverpool's Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) to apply its Agentic AI Framework alongside academic research expertise in exploring next?generation healthcare technologies. The initiative aims to move AI beyond pilots by co?developing practical blueprints that support patient engagement and help translate AI innovation into scalable, resilient healthcare outcomes.
For more insights, view the full 2025 Healthcare Readiness Report.
About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services offering advisory, implementation and managed service capabilities to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. As the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, the company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.
Kyndryl press contact
press@kyndryl.com
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FAQ**
How does Kyndryl Holdings Inc. KD plan to address the concern that 55% of healthcare organizations feel unprepared to adapt to evolving regulatory demands while scaling AI safely?
What specific features of Kyndryl's "policy as code" capability do healthcare organizations find most beneficial in ensuring compliance and governance as they scale their AI initiatives?
In what ways is Kyndryl Holdings Inc. KD collaborating with healthcare institutions to transform AI pilots into scalable, enterprise-wide solutions that meet regulatory and operational compliance?
What lessons can healthcare leaders draw from Kyndryl's partnerships, such as with the University of Liverpool’s Civic Health Innovation Labs, in successfully implementing and scaling AI technologies in clinical settings?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Kyndryl Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KD).
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