New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- Artificial intelligence (AI) tools could begin handling parts of routine hospital documentation this year, according to Roy Jakobs, chief executive officer of Philips. In an exclusive email interview with HT ahead of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Jakobs said Philips expects "AI agents" to take on certain non-clinical tasks within hospital software systems, including transcription and drafting reports. "This year alone, we can expect to see 'AI agents' take on non-clinical work within clinical software and imaging systems, from ambient voice transcription to drafting report conclusions and supporting workflows," he said. He added that the aim is to allow clinicians to spend less time on administrative work and more time on patient care. Jakobs will travel to India to attend the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, where healthcare uses of AI are expected to be a key area of discussion. Philips, once widely known for lighting and home appliances, has over the past two decades moved its focus to healthcare technology. Its portfolio now includes imaging systems such as MRI and CT scanners, patient monitoring devices, sleep and respiratory care products, and hospital software platforms. The company has been integrating AI tools across these systems. At its Capital Markets Day on February 10, Philips laid out a plan to deliver mid-single-digit annual sales growth and expand margins to the mid-teens by 2028. The company said AI-powered platform innovations in areas such as image-guided therapy, monitoring and precision diagnosis will be key growth drivers. Philips plans to maintain R&D spending at around 9% of sales, focus on "fewer, bigger and better" innovations, and deliver €1.5 billion in additional productivity savings over the next three years, alongside stronger commercial execution and regional manufacturing expansion to manage tariffs. ".the opportunity is clear. Healthcare systems are under growing strain, and AI has the potential to fundamentally improve how care is delivered. Our focus is on responsible AI that works seamlessly in the background, integrated across devices, software, and workflows. By connecting data and care across settings, Philips is positioned to turn AI into scalable impact that enables better care for more people," Jakobs told HT. Amid concerns about AI replacing jobs across sectors, Jakobs says technology will play more of an assistive role in healthcare. "AI is designed to support and extend clinical expertise, not replace it," he said. In practice, that means automating tasks such as typing notes, summarising scans or preparing standard report drafts, jobs that can take up a significant part of a clinician's day. As per the Philips Future Health Index 2025, India's report indicates that healthcare professionals recognise AI's potential to help reduce administrative burden, assist in disease diagnosis, potentially reduce avoidable hospital readmissions, and support improved patient outcomes. Jakobs described India as important to the company's AI efforts. Philips already has a sizeable presence in the country. According to the company's 2024 annual report, the company operates one of its four global innovation hubs in Bengaluru, alongside sites in the Netherlands, the US and China. Philips, as of the 2024 report, has over 8,000 employees in India. "India plays a strategically important role in Philips' global AI journey," he said. He added that the "scale, diversity, and complexity of healthcare delivery in India provide invaluable real-world insights," and that solutions co-created and tested in India often inform how we design and scale AI globally....