How AI is Boosting the GCC's Healthcare Sector

Healthcare is an industry that requires a lot of human touch--be it compassionate care or technical expertise that can help save lives. It also relies on technology like imaging and diagnostics, robotic surgery, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI). But what role will AI play in the future of healthcare in the region?

AI is not new to healthcare

The launch of ChatGPT in 2022 catapulted AI--generative AI (GenAI), in particular--into the mainstream. But healthcare has been using AI for decades.

In the mid-1960s, a team at Stanford University developed DENDRAL, a software program designed to help organic chemists identify unknown organic molecules. Then, in the early 1970s, the same university began working on MYCIN, an AI program for treating blood infections. It provided probable diagnosis based on patient symptoms, test results, and other information.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, new AI systems contributed to medical advancements. It enabled faster data collection and processing, aided in performing more precise surgical procedures, and enhanced the management of electronic health records.

The GCC is leading AI innovation in healthcare

A PwC report finds that the GCC's efforts in advancing AI in healthcare are putting it at the forefront of healthcare innovation globally. 

In October 2023, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) launched the country’s first Center of Excellence (COE) for artificial intelligence. This center aims to digitize health data, employ smart technologies, and establish a comprehensive digital service ecosystem.

In May, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) teamed up with Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Core42 to launch the Global AI Healthcare Academy in the UAE capital. The academy will provide AI training to healthcare professionals, equipping them with the skills to enhance diagnostic and operational efficiency and improve patient care.

AI has many uses in healthcare 

Earlier this month, the Abu-Dhabi-based biotech company Insilico Medicine announced the world’s first fully AI-generated drug. According to an article by Emirates News Agency, the drug, now in late-stage clinical trials, aims to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a deadly lung disease.

Insilico scientists used their AI platform to identify a new biological “target,” or protein, that could be inhibited with a drug to stop or reverse the progression of IPF.

While creating an AI-generated drug is a breakthrough, the application of AI also extends into the administrative side of healthcare.

In Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Medical City, which serves. 1.3 million patients, is applying machine learning to data from its electronic health record system to predict which patients are likely to miss appointments.

Meanwhile, in February last year, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) and KLAIM joined forces to help healthcare providers manage insurance claims and cash flow. This partnership provides DHCC stakeholders with preferential subscription rates to KLAIM’s platform, which offers AI-driven solutions to convert medical claims into predictable cash flow. This enhances performance, speeds up insurance claims processing, and improves patient experience, helping to pay off claims within 24 hours compared to a standard processing time that can take up to three months.

AI will aid, not replace, physicians

PwC estimates that AI could inject around $15.7 trillion into the global economy by 2030. In the Middle East, the figure is projected at approximately $320 billion--with Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the major gainers.

In terms of healthcare, PwC cites data-based diagnostic support as a high-potential use case. Data-based diagnostics can flag small deviations in a patient's condition, allowing healthcare providers to investigate and treat conditions earlier. According to PwC, AI will likely aid rather than replace physicians.

Jobs that AI will affect in healthcare

Many experts agree that AI will be a powerful ally and not a replacement for healthcare workers. According to the World Economic Forum, there are three major ways AI will transform healthcare by 2030: AI-powered predictive care, better-connected hospitals, and improved patient and staff experiences.

In a paper published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine, the authors break down the role of AI in healthcare in six core areas. These include medical imaging and diagnostics, virtual patient care, medical research and drug discovery, patient engagement and compliance, rehabilitation, and other administrative applications.

AI can be used to analyze medical scans, identify patterns, and even help diagnose diseases. AI tools can also streamline administrative tasks, such as scheduling, billing, and insurance claims processing faster and more accurately than humans.

The authors note that AI cannot replicate empathy, emotional intelligence, and human interaction--things that form the core of healthcare. Hence, direct patient care roles like nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors cannot be replaced.

Additionally, complex medical decisions require not just data but also medical knowledge, experience, and a good dose of intuition. AI tools may be used to analyze data and make predictions, but doctors and specialists will continue to play a vital role in interpreting insights and making final decisions.

Ethical considerations

Ethical considerations, legal compliance, and security are also huge concerns. The paper notes that AI-based applications raise concerns when it comes to data security and privacy, with hackers often targeting health records during data breaches. It flags the need for governance to overcome regulatory, ethical, and trust issues, and active governance at hospitals to maintain data security.