Interoperability at Scale: FHIR, AI, and the Future of Health Data Exchange

Here are the 4 most important issues that will haunt us in the next decades, these will dictate the health information future for centuries to come.

Healthcare is standing at a crossroads. We have the technical standards, the regulatory momentum, and the innovation needed to make interoperable health data exchange a reality, but adoption and implementation remain uneven.

Let me know which one should be number one!

1. Accelerating FHIR and HL7 Foundry Adoption

FHIR is no longer just an emerging standard, it is the backbone of how health data should move across systems. Yet many organizations are still struggling with implementation. HL7’s Foundry initiatives are helping lower the barriers by providing common patterns, accelerators, and best practices that allow implementers to move faster and with more confidence

2. Strategic Use of AI for Clinical Efficiency

Interoperability is more than connecting systems. When paired with AI, it unlocks real-time decision support, automated workflows, and risk stratification that can help clinicians intervene earlier, prioritize high-risk patients, and reduce administrative burden. The combination of FHIR-based data exchange and AI-powered insights is a game changer for improving both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.

3. Nationwide Interoperability Efforts Gaining Momentum

In the U.S., TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement) is finally gaining traction. This is a major step toward creating a nationwide trust fabric for health data exchange. But true plug-and-play interoperability still faces challenges, especially when it comes to vendor variability and local data governance requirements. We need collaboration between vendors, providers, and policymakers to close these gaps

4. Making Interoperability Easy to Understand

Technical jargon can alienate the very people we need to engage. That’s why content that’s visual and concise, like carousel posts, short explainer videos, and infographics, can be so powerful. They break down governance, standards, and benefits into digestible, shareable formats that help decision-makers and front-line staff understand why interoperability matters and what steps they can take now.

Bottom line: Interoperability isn’t just a technology problem—it’s a collaboration opportunity. If we align standards like FHIR with strategic AI use, strong governance, and clear communication, we can make data liquidity a reality and improve care at scale.