The European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT) on 24 June 2026 debated the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, exposing a divide between those who see AI as a tool to ease workforce shortages and those who warn against over-reliance on technology for diagnosis and care. Chair Adam Jarubas (EPP) opened the session by stressing that AI deployment has outpaced regulation and called for stronger data infrastructure and clinician involvement.
Guest speakers presented contrasting visions. Maciej Malawski (Sano Centre) argued for large, diverse datasets and sovereign European AI, while Sarada Das (CPME) warned that digital policy remains fragmented and insufficiently grounded in healthcare realities. Andrea Luca (Galeazzi Hospital) framed digital innovation as a clinical shift to ease workforce shortages.
Key divergences emerged among MEPs. Tomislav Sokol (EPP) questioned whether AI standards are 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, while Malawski defended anonymized data for research. Das highlighted unresolved EHDS issues on opt-outs and liability.
On interoperability, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D) stressed the need for standardized European methods, and Malawski noted hospitals are not ready. Hauser and Andriukaitis warned against dehumanization, 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, Luca saw potential, but Martins and Hauser argued AI cannot solve shortages.
Consensus emerged on AI's importance, the need for better data, patient safety, AI as support for clinicians, and stronger European capacity. Jarubas concluded that AI can assist but not replace professionals, and the committee will revisit the issue. The next SANT meeting is scheduled for 29 June 2026.
The debate reflects tensions between innovation and caution. If restrictive standards prevail, EU AI developers may face higher compliance costs, potentially slowing adoption. Conversely, if workforce substitution is permitted, healthcare providers could reduce staff costs but risk patient safety and dehumanization. Patients stand to benefit from improved diagnostics if data infrastructure improves, but may face privacy risks if consent rules are weakened. The European Commission will need to balance these trade-offs in upcoming AI Act implementation and EHDS rollout.