S P E C I A L I S T I N S I G H T
aAs both the CIO of Emirates Health Services and one of the UAE ’ s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers , how do you see the role of AI reshaping the future of healthcare delivery in the UAE and globally ? What excites you most about this intersection of technology and care ?
The integration of AI into healthcare is nothing short of transformative . I am witnessing firsthand how AI is fundamentally reshaping patient care , clinical operations and overall health outcomes . Globally , the AI healthcare market is projected to reach over US $ 194 billion by 2030 , with AI-enabled tools already expected to drive a reduction of up to 25 % in diagnostic errors .
In the UAE , we ’ ve embraced AI with vigour – streamlining processes , reducing patient wait times and enhancing precision in diagnostics and treatments . One of the most exciting areas is predictive analytics , where AI can preemptively identify at-risk patients , allowing for proactive interventions that could save thousands of lives . Imagine a future where 85 % of healthcare interactions are managed by AI – this is no longer speculation but a reality we are engineering today .
What excites me most about this intersection of technology and care is its potential to humanise healthcare . AI doesn ’ t replace clinicians ; it augments their capabilities , freeing them to focus on the human elements of care . The UAE ’ s ambition in this space is clear : building a model of future healthcare where AI ’ s precision meets compassionate , personalised care , setting new global benchmarks .
This is not just about technology ; it ’ s about the future of humanity ’ s health .
Your journey has spanned over two decades in healthcare technology , from coding to shaping national level projects . What key moments or challenges defined your leadership style , and how has your vision evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly digitising world ?
My journey in healthcare technology has been one of relentless evolution . The defining moments of my leadership have always emerged from the most profound challenges . Early in my career , I learned that technology alone isn ’ t transformative – its impact depends on how well it integrates with human needs . Leading projects that scaled from hospital systems to nationwide health strategies taught me that true leadership lies in navigating uncertainty with resilience and foresight .
One such challenge was during the COVID-19 pandemic . It accelerated our digital health initiatives by a decade , forcing us to reimagine how care is delivered . Under immense pressure , we successfully transitioned millions of patient interactions to virtual care , resulting in a 40 % reduction in hospital visits and over 15 million tonnes of
CO 2 saved in less than two years . These moments tested not only my vision but also the nation ’ s collective resolve to embrace the future of healthcare .
As AI continues to expand its footprint – projected to save the global healthcare industry up to US $ 150 billion by 2026 – my vision has evolved to focus on sustainability and precision . In a world increasingly driven by data , we must blend human empathy with AI ’ s predictive power to create a more agile , efficient and compassionate healthcare system . Leadership in this age demands a deep understanding of both technological complexity and the human elements that define care .
This journey , for me , is about creating lasting impact – building a healthcare ecosystem that thrives on innovation but remains rooted in the values that matter most : accessibility , sustainability and human dignity .
Many believe that the future of healthcare relies on sustainable technology . With Emirates Health Services achieving impressive results in virtual care and reducing CO 2 emissions , how do you envision AI contributing to broader sustainability goals , not just in healthcare , but across industries ?
AI is undeniably reshaping the future of sustainability and its impact across industries is profound . AI is changing the face of sustainability . According to a recent report , AI applications for environmental purposes could contribute up to US $ 5.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030 . More importantly , AI has the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 4 % – equivalent to 2.4 Gt CO 2
e – comparable to the combined annual emissions of Australia , Canada and Japan by 2030 . In healthcare alone , 35 % of the sector ’ s carbon emissions come from hospital care . With AI preventing unnecessary hospital admissions through telemedicine and predictive care , we ’ re seeing a paradigm shift toward more sustainable healthcare systems .
In pharmaceutical manufacturing , AI enhances efficiency and precision , reducing waste during drug development and minimising energy consumption . By organising stock and streamlining processes , AI not only saves time and money but also reduces environmental impact . The UAE is also focused on reducing emissions in surgical areas , one of the largest carbon contributors in healthcare . Global initiatives like zero-carbon surgery are on the
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