Benefits optimization | Health & benefits

The impact of AI: Microsoft’s insights on health and care 

Remote work and escaping to nature concept

This interview series features thought leaders and strategic partners from across the world sharing their views on how technology can be used to advance health access and affordability.

In this episode, Hervé Balzano, President of Health & Benefits at Mercer, and Global Leader at MMB, is joined by Dr. William B. Weeks, Director, AI for Health at Microsoft, to discuss what makes AI transformative, including efficiencies it’s bringing to workflows and models, barriers to adoption and future optimism around AI for health care and health insurance.

About the DHAA

Marsh McLennan are delighted to be partnering with the World Economic Forum in establishing the Digital Health Action Alliance. This organization aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders across the healthcare value chain, from civil society to tech and finance, as well as pharma, employers and insurers, as well as important actors in the public and social sectors. Together, we are exploring how digital capabilities can improve health outcomes.

Interesting highlights from the interview:

  • The biggest impacts of AI on health

    "The biggest impact that I can anticipate is - there are kind of three. One is improved care quality. One is improved care access, and one is reduced care costs. And I talk here, not just for the developed world, but also for the developing world."

  • Barriers to adoption by health providers

    "Providers are a little reticent to immediately embrace AI and GPT and so that's obviously a barrier. Ways to address that particular barrier are to make it very clear that GPT and these models are not there to replace providers, but they're there to support them so that they can improve care quality and improve care outcomes."

  • AI and social determinants of health

    "Historically, we've looked to the health care system to address health, but it really can only address a fraction of health. So by better understanding the social determinants of health and using AI models and predictive models we might be able to impact population health better. "

  • Future optimism and co-creation of health

    "I'm entirely optimistic about this technology. Now it's accessible, it's doable. We have the computer power to do it. We have the models to help provide individualized personalized care for every single person that can be again facilitated by health care systems and providers to co-create health for the general population."

Stay tuned for more episodes in the series coming soon.

About the author(s)
Hervé Balzano

With over 20 years of experience in insurance and employee benefits, I take pride in leading Mercer and Marsh’s Health businesses and delivering benefits that truly benefit for clients across 73 countries.

I have led and transformed international business across both mature and emerging markets, focusing on solving client needs, delivering sustainable growth and creating value.

What matters to me is that the work we do as a team has a purpose and makes a real difference in people’s lives. As a leader, I focus on creating a collaborative and can-do culture, fostering an inclusive workplace, and promoting values of trust, innovative thinking and authenticity.

Dr. William B. Weeks

is a well-known Physician and Economist, and alongside leading Microsoft’s AI for Health team, he also conducts research with non-profit organizations and academic centers on how to improve health and health outcomes. He also serves as the Medical Director for Bing, Microsoft’s search engine. 

Related solutions

Related insights

Contact a specialist

Speak with a Mercer Marsh Benefits consultant.