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Digital and AI skills in health occupations: What do we know about new demand?

Author

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  • Fabio Manca
  • Diego Eslava

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) on health occupations across OECD countries, focusing on how these innovations can support health workers amid rising demand for healthcare services. The study provides three key empirical contributions. First, it analyses nearly 55.5 million online job postings (OJPs) from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, tracking the demand for digital and AI skills in health-related occupations between 2018 and 2023. Second, it identifies specific digital and AI skill requirements for various health roles, revealing emerging priorities such as Health Information Management, Telehealth, and Cybersecurity. Third, it assesses the potential effects of Generative AI (GenAI) and Advanced Robotics (AR) on health occupations, categorising roles based on their susceptibility to automation or augmentation. Results show that while some occupations face automation risks, most roles stand to benefit from productivity-enhancing technologies. The findings highlight the importance of targeted reskilling policies and continuous training to maximise the benefits of AI integration in healthcare, ensuring that technological advancements complement rather than displace health professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabio Manca & Diego Eslava, 2025. "Digital and AI skills in health occupations: What do we know about new demand?," OECD Artificial Intelligence Papers 36, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:comaaa:36-en
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Artificial intelligence; Health; Skills;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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