Artificial intelligence in healthcare in Latin America and Colombia: bridging gaps and leveraging opportunities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.6342Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Health Systems, Latin America, Colombia, Biomedical TechnologyAbstract
Highlights
- Artificial intelligence has the potential to reduce structural gaps in access, efficiency, and quality of healthcare across Latin America, provided that its implementation is context-sensitive and value-driven.
- In the region, the impact of artificial intelligence will depend critically on data governance, ethical frameworks, regulatory oversight, and local validation.
- Without responsible implementation, artificial intelligence may exacerbate inequities, bias, and digital exclusion among vulnerable populations.
- Colombia and Latin America have a strategic opportunity to develop equitable, contextually adapted artificial intelligence models for healthcare that align with value creation in health systems.
Artificial intelligence: An opportunity amid structural gaps
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming multiple fields, particularly medicine and the health sciences, not only as a technological innovation but also as a potential shift in how clinical decisions are made, healthcare services are organized, and health systems are structured1. From diagnostic algorithms and predictive models to the recent emergence of generative models and generative AI tools, AI has evolved from isolated applications into technologies capable of reshaping clinical care processes as well as operational and administrative functions related to healthcare delivery2-5. The exponential advancement of this technology has generated considerable expectations regarding its potential to improve quality, efficiency, and access to healthcare, while also raising important concerns about safety, equity, governance, and accountability6.
How to cite this article: Sierra-Castillo Santiago, Aristizábal-Colorado David, Reyes-Sarmiento Martha Eugenia. Artificial intelligence in healthcare in Latin America and Colombia: bridging gaps and leveraging opportunities. Revista Cuidarte. 2026;17(2):e6342. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.6342
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