The European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT) debated digital health and artificial intelligence in healthcare on 24 June 2026, exposing divergences over regulatory stringency, data use, and the risk of dehumanisation. Chair Adam Jarubas (EPP) opened the session by stressing that AI deployment had outpaced regulation and required stronger data infrastructure and clinician involvement.
Tomislav Sokol (EPP) questioned whether AI standards were too restrictive, while Ignazio Roberto Marino (Greens/EFA) and Catarina Martins (The Left) warned against over-reliance on AI for diagnosis and workforce substitution. On data use, Gerald Hauser (PfE) insisted on patient consent and refusal rights, whereas guest speaker Maciej Malawski (Sano Centre) defended anonymised data for research. Sarada Das (CPME) highlighted unresolved European Health Data Space (EHDS) issues on opt-outs and liability.
On interoperability, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D) stressed the need for standardised European methods, and Malawski noted hospitals were not ready. Hauser and Andriukaitis warned against dehumanisation, while Das advocated augmented intelligence. On sovereignty, Nicolás González Casares (S&D) and Malawski pushed for European AI infrastructure, while Das cautioned against shortcuts. On workforce relief, Andrea Luca (Galeazzi Hospital) saw potential, but Martins and Hauser argued AI cannot solve shortages.
Consensus emerged on AI's importance, need for better data, patient safety, AI as support for clinicians, and stronger European capacity. Jarubas concluded that AI could assist but not replace professionals, and the committee would revisit the issue. The next SANT meeting is scheduled for 29 June.
The debate reflects a moderate tension between fostering innovation (favoured by EPP and industry) and protecting patient safety and data rights (emphasised by Greens/Left and medical associations). If standards become too restrictive, EU AI developers and healthcare providers may face higher compliance costs, potentially slowing adoption. Conversely, insufficient regulation could undermine patient trust and data security. The outcome will affect EU healthcare systems, AI companies, patients, and medical professionals, with trade-offs between innovation speed and safety safeguards.