Digital Transformation of Rural, Regional, and Remote Australian Hospitals: A Pragmatic Strategy for Introducing AI

Abstract

Aims: Rural, regional, and remote hospitals in Australia face barriers to digital transformation, including limited infrastructure, digital literacy, and workforce capacity. This Commentary outlines a pragmatic strategy to build rural digital readiness through the safe implementation of ambient artificial intelligence (AI) scribes as a low-risk starting point for AI adoption. Context: AI scribes use generative AI to convert clinical conversations into documentation. They offer potential to reduce administrative burden and workforce strain while preparing rural health services for future AI use. Although the Victorian Department of Health has established minimum standards for AI scribe use, r..