Healthcare AI Policy in 2026: Only 7 of 38 OECD Countries Have an AI Strategy

Only seven of 38 OECD countries have a formal AI strategy, and just 11% have workforce upskilling programs for health AI—revealing a global policy gap that threatens equitable adoption. At a 2026 Madrid conference hosted by Spain’s Ministry of Health and the OECD, experts warned that without coordinated regulation, trust in AI will erode, especially among youth and patients. The data shows near-universal patient optimism toward AI’s potential—98% positive—but deep concern over bias and lack of transparency. Crucially, patients demand clear, AI-specific consent forms and direct communication from healthcare providers, not just tech companies. Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite of HealthAI laid out five urgent policy fixes for the EU: unify dual regulatory oversight, lower market barriers for SMEs, align existing legislation, centralize learning from national pilots, and embed patients and civil society as active decision-makers—not tokens. The overarching message? AI in health isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust, inclusion, and literacy. Without intentional design, even the most advanced systems will fail to serve the people they’re meant to help.