ABU DHABI: Experts and specialists in the fields of health and technology, participating in an extensive scientific symposium organised by TRENDS Research and Advisory, emphasised that artificial intelligence (AI) now plays a pivotal role in various aspects of healthcare. However, this role does not imply replacing doctors with robots but rather serving as an indispensable assistant in the medical sector in the near future.
They underscored the importance of raising awareness about technology and AI among Arab societies to ensure a deeper understanding and broader benefit from these technologies. AI helps reduce treatment costs, efficiently manage human resources, increase productivity, and improve the environment for research and innovation.
The symposium, titled “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Improving Healthcare Quality: Insights from Survey Results”, was moderated by Mariam Al-Jneibi, a researcher at TRENDS. It was held in collaboration with several strategic partners, including the Dubai Healt
h Authority, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the King Hussein Cancer Centre in Jordan, and Moharram and Partners for Public Affairs and Strategic Communication.
Al-Jneibi said that the world has witnessed tremendous developments in AI in recent years, and its applications have spread across various fields. However, the healthcare sector remains one of the most promising beneficiaries of these advanced technologies. TRENDS has kept pace with AI developments through an elite survey on “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Improving Healthcare.” The symposium discussed the survey results with experts in healthcare and technology and explored how modern technologies can advance healthcare.
Sultan Majed, Deputy Head of the TRENDS Dubai Sector and Director of the Global Barometer Department, began the discussions with a keynote address. He stated that AI has become a significant area of focus in recent years, with statistics showing that 39 percent of people have a general interest in the role of AI in improving h
ealthcare. These figures are based on an elite survey conducted by TRENDS. This symposium aims to delve deeper into AI and understand its role in enhancing healthcare services.
Dr. Seham Elmrayed, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the American University in Cairo, highlighted that TRENDS’ survey results revealed that 4 percent of participants work in the healthcare sector, and 5 percent are knowledgeable about health education. Surprisingly, only 10 percent of participants were aware of AI technologies in healthcare, and just 14 percent recognised the importance of cybersecurity.
She emphasised that training and qualifying healthcare workers to handle AI technologies should rely on directed and sustainable training programs to enhance the capabilities of healthcare teams to interact with innovative systems. Additionally, the Arab world needs to adopt an integrated educational approach, incorporating AI into the educational process.
Dr. Iyad Sultan, Head of the Artificial Intelligence and Data
Innovation Office at the King Hussein Cancer Centre in Jordan, found TRENDS’ survey results on “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Improving Healthcare” surprising. Over 70 percent of respondents were young people under 45, yet they were not familiar with AI technologies.
Dr. Sultan stressed that AI’s role in diagnosing diseases, analysing tests, radiology, and reports is undeniable. It is essential and will gradually integrate into medical practice. However, this does not mean replacing doctors with robots, rather, AI will be a crucial and indispensable component in the medical sector in the near future.
Source : Emirates News Agency