In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, the dilemma of whether to build or buy technology is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). A recent study from Define Ventures, a venture capital firm, indicates a strong lean towards acquiring technology rather than developing it internally, reflecting the fast-paced advancements in the sector.
The report highlights feedback gathered from 62 senior leaders within healthcare organizations, revealing that immediate AI implementation is a top priority for a significant majority of providers (75%) and payers (69%).
Intriguingly, payer organizations have notably increased their AI budgets, with 31% indicating substantial growth, a significant rise from just 6% reported in 2024. Providers are also expanding their budgets, with 35% anticipating increases in 2026 compared to 31% in the previous year.
With these evolving budgetary trends, there is a clear preference among both providers and payers to purchase AI technology rather than build it themselves. The survey found that 54% of payers expect to buy AI solutions in most instances, a jump from 31% in 2024. Conversely, 46% are considering developing AI tools internally in at least half of their cases.
While there's a majority inclination towards buying—71% of respondents expect to typically acquire AI technology—this figure has seen a slight decrease from 78% in 2024. Additionally, the proportion of leaders who commit to buying every time has dropped from 26% to 15% since 2024, with around 29% still favoring self-built solutions for half or more of their needs.
Despite the interest in AI technology, both providers and payers are facing significant challenges related to its integration. Notably, change management has emerged as a primary concern, with 50% of payer respondents highlighting this issue in 2026, up from just 6% in 2024. Additionally, 48% of providers expressed similar worries, a stark rise from 24% two years ago.
A staggering increase in concerns about embedding AI into existing workflows was reported among providers, soaring from 31% in 2024 to 82% in 2026. Nevertheless, a large majority of both groups remain amenable to reevaluating their workflows to incorporate AI, with 96% of providers and 92% of payers open to this transition.
The report emphasizes the tension between the desire for change and the actual management of that change, stating, "While there is a strong appetite for organizational transformation, managing that change effectively remains a crucial obstacle." This suggests that while there is faith in the transformative potential of AI solutions, the complexities of their implementation are substantial.
Return on investment (ROI) has surfaced as a pivotal factor influencing vendor selection as both providers and payers seek tangible benefits from their AI investments. A substantial 83% of payers and 65% of providers expect to see measurable ROI within one year; however, their expectations differ. Specifically, 69% of payers prioritize cost savings, while 56% of providers focus on revenue generation through AI technologies.
This pressure to validate ROI is shaping pricing strategies, with over half of payers (62%) predicting that performance-based pricing will become the leading model within the next year. Additionally, 38% anticipate an increase in enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS) models, which rely on subscription fees for cloud access.
The majority of providers (85%) also foresee enterprise SaaS models as the dominant pricing structure in the coming years, with 42% expecting performance-based pricing to take the lead.
The report concludes with a clear message: “The opportunity for partnerships is vast, and healthcare organizations must collaborate to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI.” It encourages innovators to arrive with enterprise-ready solutions, domain expertise, and a strong focus on ROI from the outset.
Anuja Vaidya, a seasoned healthcare journalist since 2012, covers the intersection of healthcare and technology, including innovations in AI, digital health, electronic health records, and interoperability.
