Intelligent Health.tech Issue 20 | Page 29

D I S S E C T I N G B U S I N E S S

In this article , we hear from Dr Mohammed Hammoud , a computer science faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar ( part of Qatar Foundation ) and the creator of Avey , an AI app that helps people self-diagnose accurately , connect with doctors , order medicines and share their thoughts in a safe space . Dr Hammoud believes AI can propel an already-burgeoningly successful HealthTech industry in the Middle East and shares his thoughts on the ‘ ally ’.

EMPOWERING HEALTHCARE IN THE MIDDLE EAST THROUGH AI

In recent years , the Middle East has experienced a rising wave of HealthTech innovation , transforming how healthcare services are delivered and accessed across the region . Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) is an invaluable aspect of healthcare innovation , playing a pivotal role in reforming health systems , revolutionising traditional practices , and making healthcare more accessible . For regions with overstretched health systems or limited access , this technology has the potential to be revolutionary in achieving both better and more equitable healthcare .

Despite its clear benefits , AI is often seen as a threat to doctors and the healthcare industry , who fear the technology will replace humans , as well as the longstanding paradigm of how the industry has delivered care . Yet the evidence shows that AI is an ally to humans , not a replacement . AI can
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