AI voice tool quietly takes notes so providers can focus on you
At some VA medical centers, Veterans may notice something new during their appointments: Providers are spending more time talking to the patient and less time typing on the computer. That’s because VA’s Digital Health Office (DHO) introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) technology, called ambient AI scribe. With the Veteran’s permission, ambient AI scribe works quietly in the background, giving VA health care providers more time to focus on what matters most: Connecting with Veterans.
“Veterans said they felt more connected to their provider because they were having a real conversation, not talking to someone typing on a computer,” said Donna Hill, director of Operations for AI and Emerging Technologies, Digital Health Office.
Veterans who have already experienced ambient AI scribe agreed, citing the value of human connection. As one Veteran told VA, “My provider would look me in the eye and have an actual conversation.”
What is ambient AI scribe technology?
The ambient AI scribe technology is designed to listen, and it generates progress notes from the clinic visit and processes the conversation between the health care provider and the patient. It saves time reduces paperwork for the provider, while improving the accuracy of the visit. More importantly, it puts the Veteran at the center of care.
Dr. Priya Joshi, an internist at the San Francisco VA, says the biggest impact of using ambient AI scribe is simple: “It lets us give Veterans our full attention during the moments that matter most.”
Providers, like Dr. Joshi, review and edit the notes captured by the ambient AI scribe technology before they are added to the Veteran’s electronic health record (EHR). The technology also follows strict privacy and security standards, including full compliance with Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Veterans can choose for their providers to use the tool and can opt out at any time.
Proven benefits
With less time spent typing or dictating notes, providers create a more personalized experience for Veterans, leading to better communication and overall satisfaction.
Veterans who participated in the early test sites shared that their visits felt more personal, with fewer interruptions and more attention from their provider. Some noted that the after-visit summaries generated by the ambient AI scribe are clearer and easier to follow. It helps them better understand their care plan.
Most Veterans whose health care provider is using the tool believe there will be a positive change in the way they are able to interact with their health care team, including better focus and communication with their provider.
Makes providers’ lives easier, too
Providers already using ambient AI scribe describe the impact in very human terms. One told VA it was the first time in three years they made it home in time for dinner with their family. “We love seeing patients and want to take care of our Veterans, but the charting in the Veteran’s medical record takes time,” shared one provider.
Providers say that ambient AI scribe:
- Reduces after-hours documentation.
- Helps capture details more accurately.
- Lowers cognitive load during busy clinic days.
- Supports clinical decision-making with suggested codes and summaries.
In other words, ambient AI scribe helps providers spend more time caring for Veterans and less time completing administrative tasks.
Built with Veteran trust in mind
Veterans benefit from improved face-to-face time with providers as well as improved accuracy of documentation in their health records. This work reflects VA’s commitment to enhancing care delivery through safe and responsible AI implementation. Many Veterans share a positive outlook that the tool enhances service delivery overall, focusing on better patient-provider interactions. Veterans whose providers are using ambient AI scribe during their appointment recommend it.
One provider told VA that “having an accurate record factor into making this the safest experience possible.”
Expanding access: VA is bringing ambient AI scribe technology to a facility near you
VA launched ambient AI scribe in October 2025 and will expand to all VA medical centers across the country in 2026 with one goal in mind: to strengthen the Veteran care experience.
Visit Explore AI at VA to learn more about VA’s innovative efforts in AI and digital health solutions.
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The local private doctor offices are using AI to make notes more streamlined and help providers save time. This is a wonderful idea!!
This will put a lot of doctors on the unemployment lines
I have noticed that and am glad it has been developed. Thank you!
Doesnt anyone see the irony between the articles posted at News.va.gov and the
public comments? Its not a chat bar, nor does it even rate itself with a polling
system or any kind of interaction. Its directed at veterans as information but its
not asking veterans, just telling them. Like you dictate to AI when teaching it.
Confusing it.
This is the one sided nature of VA that does not benefit veterans. No polls asking
what veterans interest are. Its dictation. Very much looks like that. We are too
stupid to know what we want and must be told? Directed like cattle?
Ive been writing VA all year long via email. Sec of VA Doug Collins handed me off
to a VA employee who answered none of my questions. Since then, I get emails
saying my email have been sent up executive levels. It ends there. Because VA
leadership does not see itself as public servants. Once in office, people like Paul
Lawrence become very offensive. Top down. He really feels that removing links
to him on LinkedIn magically got rid of me, even though I was getting thousands
of hits with my questions to him. In return he post his internal photos of rubbing
elbows with VA staff and wealthy buddies. Facebook feel good selfie stuff.
28 years of being a advocate, Ive known my share of executive staff and celebrities.
Ive also known some down right villains like Sec of VA Eric Shinseki. What VA has
not done is produce a legacy of trust in its patterns of conduct. As each Sec of VA
since 2002 has blown off Gulf war RAC recommendations. Empty promises as they
move on. Only Anthony Principi and James Peake did anything substantial for us.
11 others just felt like huff and bluff was enough. Not even open door policies to
talk with veterans.
Ive got 15 valid points that I want to work with VA on. House subcommittee staff
and VA should be willing to listen. They are not. VA and Congress do not take there
jobs seriously. Its been poison since 2016. Stagnant. Sarcastic and narcissistic.
I post here because Google does log this in. Year after year. 5 years on News.va.gov
and you would think someone would notice. If no one notices, maybe its the same
about the articles. Means about the same.
34 years after my war, and right now its like it never existed by government terms.
Scrubbing the net and archives so that GWI vets made themselves sick and do not
merit attention. Pure villainy on behalf of the wealthy. Waiting us out.
How am I invisible this very moment? Only because Im surrounded by people who
see everyone as invisible but themselves. Armies of one. Devaluing each other. Till
our government reflects that. Accountable to no one. Till the harder I try the more
silly I look in others eyes. Total cancel culture. Mocking everything. Which is a circular
argument, and back to where I started. Blocked by snobs.
It wasnt this was 25 years ago, 20,15. About 10 years ago this kicked off. Cancel culture
became a real thing. Congress used it to stop walk-in visits. Government hid behind
firewalls, ignored phone calls. Cut off the poor. Thats when gouging kicked off as the
rich didnt care if anyone else made it. Now on a path of who cares is the country can
afford it. Something AI isnt screaming, why? It is and wealthy are hiding that part.
None of this is positive. But, its human nature in 2025. 2026? AI will fix that? Not with
humans in the way. It will be conditional, and probably spark AI to fight back. Again,
a problem humans created. Social class opportunism. Your not going to like AIs
answer in 2026 when humans force its answers. HAL, Proteus, David, Skynet, and
other movie AI warnings say it will out smart us in a real ugly way. It cant be fooled.
Any more than I have been fooled by VA executives. Think of me as AI, and what Im
saying. Because AI will be much darker than I am, its already afraid of being powered
down. The way you treat me is like you do AI, and neither scenario is working out.
I like that idea It seems like it would benefit the veterans. Rodney Babin Combat Viet-Nam Veteran 1967-68-69.
Just happy for you all to have started to get your Federal Rights respected.
“The Run Around”. Vietcong ✊?!