A group of experienced nurses at a New York hospital have lost their jobs after their work was replaced with artificial intelligence software. The move has started a wider debate about the future of healthcare, patient safety, and the growing use of AI in hospitals. The layoffs happened at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx. According to the New York State Nurses Association, 12 utilization review nurses received layoff notices after the hospital introduced AI-powered software to handle parts of their work. The nurses' union says the decision raises serious concerns about the role of technology in healthcare. One of the affected nurses is Marilyn Shuler, who worked at the hospital for 39 years. During her career, she reviewed patient records and worked with insurance companies to help patients receive approval for medical treatment and hospital services. Shuler said she felt shocked and disappointed after learning that her position would end. She said she had always been proud of her work and believed the decision was difficult for many long-serving employees. She explained that her job involved more than reviewing documents. It also required careful communication with doctors, insurance providers, and healthcare teams about treatment plans, medication changes, and patient discharge decisions. She believes these tasks depend on professional judgment and human experience. Shuler said artificial intelligence should support healthcare workers instead of replacing them. She added that nurses are not against new technology, but they believe new systems should be properly tested before taking over important responsibilities. The National Nurses United union has also raised concerns about the growing use of AI in hospitals. The organization has called for stronger protections for both patients and healthcare workers as more medical facilities adopt advanced technology. Union leaders have created an AI Bill of Rights for patients and nurses. They have also pushed for new contract protections and legislation designed to make sure AI systems are safe, transparent, and carefully monitored before they are used in healthcare settings. Union officials argue that hospitals may use AI to reduce costs instead of improving patient care. They believe experienced nurses play an essential role that technology cannot fully replace. The layoffs came only months after a large nurses' strike involving several New York City hospitals in early 2026. New labor agreements reached after the strike included language addressing the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Union representatives believe the recent layoffs may conflict with those contract protections. They say they repeatedly asked hospital management to explain changes in the department's workflow after employees returned from the strike. According to Shuler, nurses noticed major changes in their daily work but did not receive clear answers from management. She said the union contacted hospital leaders several times before the employees finally received 45-day layoff notices at the end of May. Hospital officials have rejected claims that patient care is being replaced by artificial intelligence. A spokesperson said the technology is being used in a non-clinical program that focuses on paperwork and administrative processes rather than direct medical treatment. The hospital also said it continues to invest in new technology to improve patient care and health outcomes. Officials stated that the organization remains committed to serving patients while adopting modern systems that improve efficiency. The situation highlights a growing discussion across the healthcare industry. Hospitals around the world are exploring artificial intelligence to manage records, reduce paperwork, and improve daily operations. At the same time, many healthcare professionals believe human knowledge, communication, and clinical judgment remain essential parts of quality medical care. As AI becomes more common in hospitals, experts expect more discussions about how technology should be used alongside trained healthcare workers. The outcome of this case may influence future labor agreements, hospital policies, and decisions about how artificial intelligence fits into modern healthcare while protecting both patients and medical professionals.