AUSTRIA Law and Practice Contributed by: Harald Strahberger and Florian Sesztak, Kinstellar
Another pressing challenge is the disparity in digital literacy and access to technology. Both patients and healthcare providers frequently encounter challenges in utilising digital tools effectively. The integration of AI disrupts existing workflows, requiring healthcare pro - fessionals to adapt to new roles and develop additional skills. Regulatory and ethical considerations also pose significant concerns. As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in clinical settings, clear legal frameworks are necessary to address issues related to data protection, transparency, and accountability. Finally, the absence of suitable reimbursement mod - els constitutes a substantial challenge. Many digital health tools have yet to receive formal approval or secure funding pathways, which limit their integra - tion into routine care and slow broader system-wide adoption. 1.3 Market Trends Austria is experiencing steady growth in the appli - cation of artificial intelligence in healthcare, with key trends emerging in diagnostics, digital health services, and pharmaceutical research. AI is increasingly used in clinical decision support and diagnostic imaging – particularly in radiology, oncology, and pathology – where it enhances the accuracy and speed of disease detection and supports the shift toward personalised treatment approaches. In parallel, the expansion of AI-enabled telemedicine and remote monitoring is a national priority, supported by Austria’s eHealth Strat - egy 2024–2030, which emphasises a “digital before ambulant before inpatient” approach to healthcare delivery. AI is also being used in the analysis of real- world health data and predictive modelling for popula - tion health management. Additionally, the integration of AI into pharmaceutical research and clinical trial design is advancing, contributing to more efficient drug development and supporting Austria’s growing position as a centre for life science innovation. The development and adoption of AI in Austrian healthcare are driven by a broad network of stakehold - ers, including healthcare providers, public institutions, research organisations, and private sector innovators. Hospitals and university medical centres are leading adopters, especially in applying AI for diagnostics, clinical decision-making, and operational optimisa - tion. Public institutions such as the Federal Ministry
of Health, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency ( Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft mbH – “FFG”), and the Austrian Business Service Agency ( Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH – “aws”) play a crucial role by offering funding, regula - tory guidance, and strategic coordination. Research institutions contribute through foundational AI and medical research, often in partnership with clinical facilities. Technology developers and digital health startups, many of which are supported by national innovation programs, provide AI solutions tailored to healthcare use cases. While insurance companies are not yet primary drivers, they are increasingly involved in discussions around reimbursement models and regulatory pathways for digital health tools and AI- supported care. Austria has also established a strong foundation for collaboration between healthcare institutions and technology developers, particularly in the context of public–private partnerships and coordinated innova - tion platforms. The healthcare AI ecosystem ben - efits from national initiatives that connect academic research, clinical practice, and the development of digital technology. For example, new interdisciplinary institutes focused on AI in biomedicine have been launched in collabo - ration with academic and public research bodies, reflecting a long-term commitment to integrating AI into personalised and predictive medicine. Coordina - tion platforms, such as LISAvienna, and innovation hubs, like the Future Health Lab, promote active col - laboration among hospitals, researchers, startups, and public agencies to co-develop and implement AI- driven healthcare solutions. These efforts are further supported by EU-level networks, such as EIT Health Austria, which facilitates cross-border knowledge exchange and access to innovation funding. Together, these collaborations demonstrate Austria’s strategic focus on building an integrated, innovation-friendly environment for healthcare AI.
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