Google.org Invests $2 Million in Clalit’s AI Platform to Expand Patient Healthcare Access

Google.org awarded Clalit Health Services a $2 million grant to develop an artificial intelligence-powered system to help patients access healthcare services, the organizations said Tuesday.

The two-year funding will support the development of a conversational AI platform designed to serve Clalit’s approximately five million members by helping patients schedule appointments, complete pre-visit intake processes, and receive follow-up guidance in multiple languages.

According to Clalit, the system will use voice-based AI and large language models to communicate with patients in regional dialects and spoken languages that are not always well served by conventional digital health platforms.

The project is aimed in part at addressing barriers faced by patients with limited internet access or who use devices that cannot easily support web-based healthcare services. Clalit said the platform will be accessible through standard mobile phones and landlines as well as internet-connected devices.

The healthcare provider said the system would also conduct automated symptom intake and triage before appointments to reduce administrative workloads and save time for medical staff.

Healthcare organizations worldwide have increasingly adopted AI tools to automate routine patient interactions and administrative tasks, though industry questions remain regarding accuracy, oversight, privacy protection, and the handling of sensitive medical information.

Clalit said the platform will operate on Google Cloud infrastructure and that patient interactions will be encrypted, anonymized, and protected through a zero-trust security framework.

The organization plans to begin with a pilot program before expanding the service nationally. Clalit also said it intends to release portions of the system’s architecture and cultural-adaptation frameworks as open-source tools that could be used by public health organizations elsewhere.

Clalit has approximately 60,000 employees and serves more than half of Israel’s population through 14 hospitals, two mental health centers, and more than 1,600 community clinics.

“Our commitment to every person, from every community and every background, is the heart of our mission. With support from Google.org and Google Cloud, Clalit can harness the most advanced technology in the world to ensure that every patient receives the best care, in their language and in a way that is tailored to them,” said Prof. Eitan Wirtheim, CEO of Clalit.

“The model being developed in Israel is intended to become an open‑source architecture that will be available to healthcare organizations worldwide, enabling replication and ensuring accessible medicine for all,” he added.

Boaz Maoz, managing director of Google Cloud Israel, said the project could provide a model for using conversational AI to expand access to healthcare services.

“AI has the potential to address some of healthcare’s most persistent access barriers,” he said. “By deploying secure, conversational AI tailored to local dialects and unique communication channels, Clalit ensures that the benefits of digital health reach every community.”

“We are proud to support this initiative on Google Cloud, establishing a scalable model for inclusive, equitable care worldwide.”

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