Nursing researcher discusses importance of capturing AI cost-savings for nursing

Nursing researcher Olga Yakusheva, PhD, says artificial intelligence policy should move beyond whether insurers can reimburse for AI and address how health systems measure and govern AI-generated economic value. Yakusheva, an economist and professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore, says automating nurses’ administrative or routine work could reduce costs, release clinician time and permit nurses to redirect their expertise toward patient education, care coordination, chronic disease management, care transitions and other unmet needs. While health systems may reinvest financial gains in the clinical workforce, they also could absorb savings into operating margins and payments to technology vendors and investors. She believes policymakers should ensure that AI efficiencies strengthen healthcare’s ability to improve patient care rather than extract labor costs. (Newswise news release, 8/19/26)