The AI-Native Health Science Institution Innovation Theater vs. Structural Redesign

Authors

• Jiajie Zhang
• Martin J Citardi
• Xiaoqian Jiang
• Sean Savitz

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal

npj Health Systems

DOI

10.1038/s44401-026-00110-2

PMID

42422399

PMCID

PMC13341318

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-8-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Academic health institutions face a new constraint: cognitive labor. Many adopt AI through additive initiatives that risk becoming "innovation theater"-visible activity without structural change. We argue this reflects a mismatch between rapid AI advances and slower institutional evolution. AI-native institutions treat AI as infrastructure, requiring governance, shared platforms, and workforce readiness. The challenge is not adoption but redesign; those that fail risk widening gaps and accelerating irrelevance.

Keywords

Complex networks; Complex networks; Psychology; Psychology; Science, technology and society; Scientific community

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Jiajie; Citardi, Martin J; Jiang, Xiaoqian; et al., "The AI-Native Health Science Institution Innovation Theater vs. Structural Redesign" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 1022.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthshis_docs/1022