Leading with Confidence: How HI Professionals Can Shape the Future of AI in Healthcare

In recent months, I’ve attended several national events centered around the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and one theme echoed through nearly every conversation: artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our profession, and in particular, the revenue cycle, and that shift brings both excitement and uncertainty.

Across sessions and hallway discussions, I heard the same questions many of our members are asking: Will AI replace me? What happens to our roles as documentation becomes automated? How do we stay relevant as technology evolves faster than we can learn it?

These are real and valid concerns, but they are not the full story. At AHIMA25, those same conversations shifted toward opportunity. The energy, excitement, and optimism across sessions and networking events were undeniable. AI is already enhancing coding accuracy, streamlining prior authorizations, and improving documentation efficiency. But behind every effective AI system is a health information (HI) professional ensuring the data is clean, compliant, and ethically used. Our expertise is what keeps the “intelligence” in artificial intelligence honest and accountable.

That’s why AHIMA is intentionally designing education that replaces fear with confidence. Through our 2026 Career Advancement Roadmap, we’re building a framework of microcredentials, boot camps, and summits to help members thrive in the era of AI and digital transformation.

From the Virtual AI Summit and applicable AI microcredentials to AI-focused upskilling programs that prepare professionals for tomorrow’s roles, we’re equipping our members to speak knowledgeably about AI, collaborate productively with vendors and clinicians, and boldly take on the evolving future of health information.

Career Advancement and AI Resource Updates

The Career Advancement team continues to drive forward impactful professional development opportunities that align with the evolving needs of HI professionals. Looking ahead to the rest of this year, we are launching learning opportunities focused on emerging areas in health information. Some are available now and some are coming soon!

These include:

• The reopening of the CHPS course and Boot Camp, offering advanced privacy and security training.
• A new webinar: “Understanding Implementation of Code Updates: An Overview & Tips for Facility and Pro-Fee Settings.”
• Two foundational courses now available in the AHIMA Store, Foundations in Release of Information (ROI) and Health Informatics Foundations, both supporting microcredential preparation.
• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) resources, with emphasis on dashboards and KPI reporting, a must-have for HI leaders.
• A Mobile App resource focused on educating consumers before selecting and using health apps.
• A Patient Portal resource built around the 5 Ps Framework for access and engagement. Webinars for both the mobile apps and patient portal resources will debut on November 14, continuing AHIMA’s commitment to delivering timely, relevant education in formats our members have asked for.
• The 42 CFR Final Rule resource, now enhanced with a decision tree to guide compliant disclosures, an essential tool for navigating complex regulatory requirements.

AI-Focused Initiatives

Also in development is a new Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) and AI guide, focused on the tools and competencies HI professionals need to upskill and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

To support advocacy, AHIMA is finalizing AI Email Templates that will help HI professionals position themselves for inclusion in their organizational AI-related committees and oversight groups, reinforcing their expertise in governance and implementation.

In parallel, AHIMA is preparing major updates to the AI Resource Hub, which will soon feature a suite of educational resources, tools, guides, and webinars that will continue to evolve in the coming months. A key highlight is the upcoming interactive AI microsite, mapping a patient’s journey through AI-enabled healthcare touchpoints and emphasizing the essential human roles involved. A companion PDF guide will also be available, offering HI leaders a quick-reference resource to share with staff and members.

Together, all of these initiatives demonstrate AHIMA’s ongoing commitment to empowering HI professionals with the education, tools, and advocacy resources they need to lead, adapt, and thrive across every corner of the healthcare ecosystem.

AI may reshape how health information work gets done, but it cannot replace the judgment, ethics, and expertise that define our profession. Together, we can move beyond uncertainty and lead healthcare forward with both courage and clarity.

Jennifer Mueller, MBA, RHIA, SHIMSS, FACHE, FAHIMA, FACHDM, is AHIMA Senior Vice President, Health Information Career Advancement.