Abu Dhabi Pioneers Collaborative Approach to Responsible AI in Healthcare at Health Leaders Roundtable - Middle East Business News and Information
Held during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the roundtable united global health leaders to shape a Declaration on AI governance principles for healthcare
This collaborative dialogue explored key challenges and opportunities in unlocking AI's potential, and the optimal governance principles required to develop an agile framework for effectively integrating AI in healthcare
Its key principles are rooted in inclusion, equity, and ethics, to ensure patient safety while enabling responsible innovation
Participants included academics, technology experts, and pharmaceuticals leaders from across Africa, the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, convened senior international government officials at the Health Leaders Roundtable to shape a Declaration on AI governance principles for healthcare. Held on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), it considered the challenges and opportunities in unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), and explored key principles in the governance of AI in healthcare.
Hosted together with PwC Middle East, findings from the roundtable will inform the development of a collaborative approach that will serve as a reference for governments, health systems, and innovators to ensure that AI's integration into healthcare systems is transparent, responsible, and inclusive.
His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, added: 'AI is not tomorrow's technology, it is today's reality. While many of us are adapting to its rise, our children will grow up with it as the norm. That's why the decisions we make today, around ethics, equity, and safety, must be made together. Through this declaration, we will establish a globally accessible guideline that extends beyond borders and commercial interests. This document is a call to action for governments, innovators, and healthcare leaders everywhere.'
The forthcoming Declaration on governance principles for AI in healthcare will outline guiding principles for responsible AI deployment to improve health outcomes and protect patient rights. Designed as a globally accessible resource, the declaration will inspire unified governance and serve as a trusted reference for stakeholders worldwide.
In her opening remarks at the Roundtable, Her Excellency Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated: 'AI has extraordinary potential in healthcare. It is already transforming how we deliver care, how we diagnose, and how we discover. But with great power comes great responsibility. In Abu Dhabi, we are harnessing AI as our engine and policy as our platform, turning data into life-saving insight, and insight into meaningful action. Our vision is to deliver healthcare that is precise, proactive, and personal and to do so in a way that puts people, not technology, at the centre.'
During the Roundtable, participants emphasised the need for agile legal and regulatory frameworks to enable the safe and ethical application of AI in healthcare, while enabling innovation. With an emphasis on the need for a human-centred approach, discussions explored key themes including standardisation of data, data privacy and trust, skills development and community engagement.
Key insights from the Roundtable highlight the need for: Transparent testing frameworks to ensure AI tools meet real-world clinical standards;
Collaborative ecosystems that unite regulators, industry, academia, and civil society across geographies;
Responsible data access that protects privacy, ensure security, and clarify ownership;
Addressing the AI skills gap by scaling education and awareness across healthcare systems and prepare healthcare workforces for a new era.
Aligning AI use cases with real-world patient and system challenges, avoiding technology for technology's sake.
The Health Leaders Roundtable brought together a distinguished group of local and international voices, including government officials, AI experts, healthcare executives, and multilateral organisations, to explore the shared principles and practices needed to deploy AI responsibly, effectively, and equitably.
These themes build on Abu Dhabi's rapidly advancing AI ecosystem, which in the field of health, is taking billions of data points, and turning them into life-changing insights.
Supporting the Emirates's approach is the Global AI Healthcare Academy, launched by DoH, which equips healthcare professionals worldwide with theoretical knowledge and hands-on training needed to implement AI technologies effectively, setting a global standard for capacity building. In addition, Malaffi – the region's first Health Information Exchange – provides secure, real-time access to patient data across both public and private healthcare providers. This seamless data integration is crucial for enabling AI tools to be deployed safely, efficiently, and at scale.
ADGHW is a major government initiative from DoH, and serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration under the 2025 theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being.' By convening diverse stakeholders from around the world, ADGHW is a community without borders that seeks to advance the future of health and well-being.
About Abu Dhabi Global Health Week:
Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW) is a major government-led initiative by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). It drives transformative innovation and collaboration under the theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being'. ADGHW serves as a year-round 'always-on' platform with a proactive approach centred around preventive, personalised, and holistic care. Held with and for the world, ADGHW is a platform for open, inclusive exchange, and joint action.
ADGHW welcomes entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and investors to transform ideas into action, and collaborate around topics like advancing precision care and building a resilient technology-driven ecosystem. ADGHW 2025 proudly collaborates with key strategic partners, including Foundation Partner, M42 and Global Health and Longevity Champion, PureHealth. Additional exhibitors and sponsors include Burjeel, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, Viatris, Novartis, Roche, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Deloitte, Gilead, Juvenescence, NYU Abu Dhabi and Pfizer, united in their commitment to advancing the future of healthcare and life sciences.
About the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH):
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is the regulative body of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Committed to ensuring excellence in healthcare, DoH monitors the health status of the population while shaping the regulatory framework for the health system. This includes inspecting against regulations, enforcing standards and encouraging the adoption of world-class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare providers in the Emirate. Abu Dhabi remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare by establishing an intelligent and sustainable ecosystem that prioritises health, longevity and quality of life for all community members. Leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge capabilities, DoH continues to develop and implement initiatives and programmes in line with its strategic focus areas, Healthy Population, Best-in-Class Care and Resilience and Innovation. These efforts reflect DoH's unwavering commitment to predicting, preventing and personalising healthcare for every individual.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Abbott Unite to Manufacture Pharmaceuticals Locally in Abu Dhabi - Middle East Business News and Information
During BIO International Convention in Boston USA, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, and Abbott, the global healthcare leader, entered a landmark partnership to localise manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Abu Dhabi and advance digital health solutions. Leveraging Abu Dhabi's advanced life sciences infrastructure, this milestone reflects the emirate's proactive preparedness to reduce dependency on imports, strengthen supply chain resilience, and foster a sustainable, self-sufficient healthcare ecosystem. H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: 'Following the recent launch of the Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Cluster in Abu Dhabi, the emirate proved to be equipped with a holistic, integrated infrastructure that fosters local manufacturing and R&D, positioning it as a regional healthcare gateway and leader in life sciences. By integrating our strategic vision with Abbott's expertise, we aim to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative healthcare products and solutions, reducing time-to-market, improving healthcare outcomes, and ensuring that breakthrough therapies reach patients faster. This approach positions Abu Dhabi as a regional leader in fostering an agile, innovation-driven healthcare ecosystem that directly translates scientific advancements into tangible benefits for our community.' The strategic collaboration outlines a comprehensive plan focusing on four key pillars including localisation of Abbott's pharmaceutical portfolio, biosimilar development, digital transformation through electronic patient information leaflets, and a robust education and workforce development initiative. Mazen Bachir, Regional Director for Abbott's established pharmaceuticals business in the Gulf, Emerging Markets and Levant said: 'Abbott is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, aimed at advancing healthcare resilience and innovation in Abu Dhabi. Building on Abbott's long-standing commitment to the UAE's healthcare system, this partnership will focus on localising existing pharmaceutical products, and jointly exploring the development of biosimilars, supported by regulatory alignment. The collaboration also includes initiatives to digitise life science product information through electronic leaflets in alignment with the UAE's digital health strategy. Another key component of this collaboration is the development of education programs to build local capabilities. Additionally, Abbott and the Department of Health will evaluate opportunities for joint research and development to strengthen long-term healthcare sustainability in the UAE.' Led by DoH, a high-level delegation has embarked on a strategic mission to the United States from June 15 to 21, 2025. The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the U.S., aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions.
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Mid East Info
DoH and Boehringer Ingelheim Ink Strategic Partnership to Advance Life Science Innovation Across the Emirate
On the sidelines of a high-profile Abu Dhabi delegation visit to the USA Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,June 2025: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi DoH, the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boehringer Ingelheim , one of the world's leading research-driven pharmaceutical companies. This strategic partnership aims to advance scientific research and innovation, foster groundbreaking research and development and cultivate an environment of scientific excellence, further cementing the Emirate as the MENA region's premier hub for healthcare, life sciences and innovation. In the presence of H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, Near East and UAE at BI, the agreement was signed during BIO International Convention in Boston at the Abu Dhabi Pavilion by Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, the Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the DoH and Ghaleb Al Ahdab, Head of Public and Government Affairs, Near East and UAE at BI. Through this strategic partnership, the two parties seek to strengthen the Emirate's research ecosystem by facilitating access to and harnessing the capabilities of Boehringer Ingelheim's OpnME platform. Researchers, scientists and innovators across Abu Dhabi will be able to leverage the platform's cutting-edge data and resources to address critical biological challenges and accelerate scientific discovery. Through four flagship programmes, Molecule to Order (M2O), Molecule for Collaboration (M4C), opn2EXPERTS (o2e) and opnTALENTS (o25), the platform empowers the research community with access to advanced compounds, collaborative opportunities, expert networks and support for emerging talent. OpnME connects visionary researchers to champion transformative, research-driven medical innovation for generations to come. In line with Abu Dhabi's vision to shape the future of healthcare, this partnership between DoH and BI enhances knowledge exchange and invests in local talent. It offers scientists a purpose-driven, globally connected environment to lead impactful research, further reinforcing the Emirate's commitment to transforming the regional healthcare ecosystem through science and technology. Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, the Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, said: 'Our partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim reflects our commitment to pioneering innovation and scientific research as parts of our efforts to advance health outcomes and improve the quality of life for communities around the world. We're empowering Abu Dhabi researchers with the opnMe platform, an open portal offering top-tier pharmaceutical compounds, fostering collaboration and safeguarding researchers' rights to their findings. This is about transforming our emirate into a global life sciences hub, speeding up breakthroughs, and building a healthier, resilient future for all. Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma for Near East and UAE at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: 'At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are proud to partner with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) to empower the scientific community through our OpnMe platform. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing research and innovation in the region, fostering a culture of discovery, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. By providing access to our scientific resources, including advanced compounds, collaborative research opportunities, and expert networks, we aim to inspire new ideas and support the next generation of researchers in Abu Dhabi.' Led by DoH, a high-level delegation has embarked on a strategic mission to the United States from June 14 to 21, delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the U.S., aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions.
Mid East Info
15-06-2025
- Mid East Info
Abu Dhabi Reinforces Global Leadership in Healthcare Innovation with High-Level U.S. Visit - Middle East Business News and Information
Strategic mission to the U.S. aims to strengthen partnerships and showcase Abu Dhabi's excellence in life sciences and precision medicine Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June 2025: A high-level delegation led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), is set to embark on a strategic mission to the United States from June 14 to 21, 2025. The visit reaffirms Abu Dhabi's global leadership in healthcare innovation and reflects its broader vision for healthcare transformation—driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration. The delegation will visit key U.S. cities including Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention 2025 , one of the world's foremost biotechnology events. The visit will spotlight the Emirate's achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research and showcase Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global innovators. H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated: 'This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the United States to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.' The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the U.S., aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions. Representing Abu Dhabi's innovation ecosystem, the delegation includes key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo. Abu Dhabi continues to lead the region in genomics through the Emirati Genome Programme, which has successfully sequenced over 800,000 samples, creating one of the most advanced national genomic databases. The Emirate is also home to more than 90 licensed research centers and 30+ ongoing clinical trials in areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and chronic conditions. Advanced data platforms such as Malaffi, which securely store over 5 million patient records—enable AI-powered insights and real-world evidence, while national initiatives like the Golden Visa program are cultivating a global workforce and have granted over 2,000 long-term visas for researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world.
