AI Joins the Front Lines at Cedars-Sinai

A Los Angeles hospital puts artificial intelligence at the start of care, aiming to save time without replacing doctors

6 May 2025

In Los Angeles, patients at Cedars-Sinai now meet an algorithm before a doctor. The hospital has launched Cedars-Sinai Connect, an Al-powered triage tool intended to speed up diagnoses, reduce paperwork and help clinicians prioritise urgent cases. More than 42,000 patients have already passed through the system, one of the most expansive trials of such technology in a major American hospital.

Built with K Health, a health-tech firm, the tool collects symptoms and medical histories, then suggests next steps. In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, its recommendations were judged the best choice in 77 percent of cases. Physicians without Al support scored 67 percent. Yet the review had caveats: assessors knew whether the advice came from a human or a machine, and the data covered only a narrow set of cases.

Still, hospital executives argue the benefits are clear. "Al can take on the heavy lifting so physicians can do what they do best: treat patients," one Cedars-Sinai leader told Business Insider. With staffing shortages and rising demand for care, automation offers a possible solution, at least for the early stages of diagnosis.

The hospital is already exploring broader uses, from routine follow-ups to managing chronic diseases such as hypertension. These areas often strain resources and see uneven care. Algorithms may help improve consistency, especially when human judgement falters under pressure.

Yet concerns remain. Critics cite risks to privacy and the blurred lines of responsibility when errors occur. Others question whether patients will trust decisions shaped by software.

For now, Cedars-Sinai's system is built to support, not replace, its doctors. Its future may hinge less on accuracy than on how smoothly it integrates into the realities of patient care. Other hospitals are watching. If the results hold, the algorithm may find a permanent role on medicine's front lines.