Agentic AI is transforming healthcare operations by turning complex, manual processes into intelligent, autonomous workflows that save time, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes. In this episode, Harpaul Sambhi, founder and CEO of Magical, and Douglas Hires, healthcare executive and advisor, explore how agentic AI is transforming automation across the healthcare ecosystem. They describe the evolution from rigid robotic process automation to adaptable, self-learning systems that function like autonomous agents capable of reasoning, adapting, and executing complex workflows without constant oversight. Through vivid examples, they demonstrate how providers and payers are utilizing agentic AI to streamline prior authorizations, optimize revenue cycle operations, and free staff for higher-value tasks. Harpaul and Doug also outline six key pillars for evaluating AI vendors: reasoning, adaptability, interoperability, agility, scalability, and fault tolerance. They emphasize that AI’s true purpose is to elevate people, not replace them, thereby fostering a smarter and more humane healthcare system. Tune in and learn how agentic AI is creating the future of autonomous healthcare operations today.
About Harpaul Sambhi:
Harpaul Sambhi is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Magical, where he’s building Agentic AI for healthcare to transform how people and systems interact in one of the world’s most vital industries. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Harpaul combines a deep technical background with a passion for human-centered innovation. Before founding Magical in 2020, he built and sold Careerify to LinkedIn, where he later led product initiatives within LinkedIn Talent Solutions and Microsoft, helping shape the future of talent acquisition and HR technology.
Alongside building companies, Harpaul has served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Bain Capital Ventures, Advisor at On Deck, and a Limited Partner in leading VC funds, including Bain Capital Ventures, iNovia Capital, and OnDeck. Earlier in his career, he authored Social HR (published by Thomson-Reuters) and lectured at the Schulich Executive Education Centre on innovation, technology, and the evolving workplace.
At his core, Harpaul is guided by simple principles—striving to be a good human and a dedicated father, husband, son, brother, and friend—while working with great people to build great products that make a difference. A graduate of the University of Waterloo with a degree in electrical engineering, he continues to live by curiosity, humility, and the drive to create technology that serves people, not the other way around.
About Doug Hires:
Douglas Hires is a seasoned healthcare executive, consultant, and entrepreneur with over 35 years of leadership experience across the healthcare and information technology sectors. Based in Dallas, Texas, Douglas has built a distinguished career driving operational excellence, business transformation, and financial performance for some of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations. His expertise spans providers, payers, government, and life sciences, and his track record includes accelerating growth, restructuring operations, and guiding organizations through strategic reinvention.
Currently, Douglas serves as Executive Advisor at Magical, Managing Partner at JD Hires Advisory Group, and Founder & President of New World Wine Designs, where he combines his business acumen with his passion for fine wine and craftsmanship through bespoke wine cellar design and building. He also advises healthcare and sales organizations through roles with Healthcare IT Leaders and SalesSparx LLC, lending his strategic insight to help teams scale with precision and purpose.
Previously, Douglas held multiple senior leadership roles at Optum, including Chief Operating Officer for OptumInsight Provider and COO of the Hospital Services Division, overseeing end-to-end revenue cycle operations for Dignity Health’s 36 hospitals. His earlier career includes executive roles at Santa Rosa Consulting, 3M Health Information Systems, SoftMed Systems, and First Consulting Group, where he earned recognition as a respected thought leader and sought-after industry speaker.
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