Artificial intelligence is moving from the laboratory into hospitals, clinics and people's everyday lives, but turning technological breakthroughs into reliable healthcare services remains challenging.

At the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, discussions on AI-powered healthcare and elderly care drew people's eyes. AI-driven health management platforms, smart nursing robots and other technologies are already being used to ease pressure caused by a shortage of care workers and improve services for older people. Yet industry representatives also pointed to persistent challenges.

As healthcare AI develops rapidly around the world, the gap between what AI can do technically and what can be safely and effectively deployed in healthcare remains a common concern. International cooperation can help bridge that gap by bringing together technological expertise, clinical experience, investment and funding and real-world application scenarios.

From healthcare dialogue to AI cooperation

China and the United States already have a long history of dialogue and cooperation in healthcare. More recently, artificial intelligence has become an increasingly visible part of that conversation.

At the 11th China-U.S. Health Track II Dialogue, held in Hangzhou in June, experts from both countries discussed biomedical innovation, implementation science, AI applications in health systems and cardiovascular disease prevention. Participants also explored areas for closer cooperation, including the use of digital health and AI to improve chronic disease management.

The significance of this discussion reflects a broader shift in healthcare: technology is increasingly being used not only to diagnose and treat disease, but also to help people monitor their health, manage chronic conditions and make better-informed decisions in their daily lives.

Cooperation is already taking shape

In November 2025, GE HealthCare and Alibaba's Damo Academy signed a framework agreement. The companies said they would combine GE HealthCare's expertise in medical imaging with Damo Academy's AI capabilities to develop integrated solutions for more efficient and precise diagnosis.

The cooperation focuses on combining AI with non-contrast CT scans to identify multiple types of cancer, acute conditions and chronic diseases. The two sides also plan to work together on model optimization and product development, with the aim of moving AI technology from research into clinical applications.

As China and the United States continue to explore how AI can reshape healthcare – from medical imaging and chronic disease management to preventive care and everyday health services – their priorities are increasingly meeting in the same areas. This creates opportunities for the two countries to combine their respective strengths in technology, healthcare expertise, investment and practical applications, and to turn advances in AI into more accessible and effective health services.

The future of AI in healthcare will be shaped not only by who develops the most advanced technology, but also by how effectively that technology can be translated into safe, accessible and useful care. For China and the United States, continued dialogue and practical cooperation could provide a way to turn their parallel advances in AI and healthcare into solutions that benefit patients and healthcare systems on both sides.