#Abu Dhabi #United Arab Emirates #AI Healthcare #DoH

Abu Dhabi's Collaborative Approach to AI in Healthcare

In a significant move toward the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, Abu Dhabi convened a roundtable of international health leaders during its annual Global Health Week. This roundtable served as a crucial platform for discussing the governance principles necessary for effectively integrating AI into healthcare practices.

Setting the Scene for Collaboration

The event, orchestrated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) in collaboration with PwC Middle East, aimed to foster a collaborative framework that health systems, governments, and innovators can reference. Eminent healthcare officials, academic experts, and technology specialists from around the globe gathered to tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technology in healthcare.

Son Excellence Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, the head of the DoH, emphasized the immediacy and relevance of AI in today's healthcare landscape. He stated, "AI is not just the technology of tomorrow; it is the reality of today. The decisions we make regarding ethics and safety must be taken collectively. Our goal is to create a guideline that transcends borders and commercial interests."

The Importance of Ethical Guidelines

The roundtable discussions highlighted the necessity for establishing ethical guidelines that ensure patient safety while enabling responsible innovation. Participants explored key themes such as data standardization, data privacy, and building trust within healthcare systems, highlighting the importance of an approach that prioritizes human-centered care.

Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, the undersecretary of the DoH, voiced that while AI can indeed revolutionize healthcare delivery and diagnosis, it brings with it an essential responsibility. "At Abu Dhabi, we leverage AI as a driving force, transforming data into actionable insights that enhance individual care tailored to patient needs."

Key Frameworks for Governance

The roundtable produced several key recommendations aimed at establishing a transparent and flexible framework for implementing AI in healthcare. These included:

• - Suggesting that AI tools meet real-world clinical standards through transparent testing protocols.
• - Creating collaborative ecosystems that involve regulators, industry leaders, academia, and civil society.
• - Ensuring responsible access to healthcare data with privacy safeguards.
• - Addressing educational gaps in AI by equipping healthcare professionals with necessary skills and awareness.
• - Aligning AI use cases with actual patient challenges to avoid the pitfalls of technology merely for innovation’s sake.

Next Steps for Implementation

The insights gleaned from the roundtable will play a significant role in shaping a future statement on AI governance in healthcare. By establishing guiding principles, this document will serve as a global resource for promoting ethical AI deployment and protecting patient rights across systems.

The discussions were backed by Abu Dhabi's rapidly evolving AI ecosystem, where billions of data points converge to create life-altering information. Central to this initiative is the Global AI Healthcare Academy, launched by the DoH, which aims to enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals around the world by providing extensive theoretical and practical training in AI technologies.

Moreover, the Malaffi health information exchange system facilitates secure, real-time access to patient data among healthcare providers, streamlining AI application.

In conclusion, the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week has solidified its position as a vital platform for driving health innovation and collaboration. With a theme of "Redefining Health and Well-being towards Longevity 2025", this initiative aims to form a global community that can navigate the future of healthcare, ultimately improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals worldwide.

For more details or media inquiries, please contact Maroun Farah, Senior Media Relations Manager at Weber Shandwick.